/prəˈvaɪdə(r) ||; prəˈvaɪdɚ/noun [C] a person or an organization that supplies sb with sth he/she needs or wants 供应者；提供者；供养人: We are one of the largest providers of employment in the area. 我们是本地区最大的雇主之一。The eldest son is the family's sole provider(= the only person in the family who earns money). 长子是这个家庭唯一养家糊口的人。 ☞ Look at ISP. 参看 ISP。