providerpro·vid·er /prəˈvaɪdə-ər/ noun [countableC]1COMMERCEan organization that provides goods or servicesa provider of engineering and design services
hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care providers
the long-distancetelephone services provider
→ Internet Service Provider2an adult who supports their family with his or her incomeA widow, she is the sole provider (=the only one) for her family.