Meaning

noun the capital and largest city of Rhode Island; located in northeastern Rhode Island on Narragansett Bay; site of Brown University

noun the guardianship and control exercised by a deity

noun a manifestation of God's foresightful care for his creatures

originFrom Middle English providence, from Anglo-Norman providence, Middle French providence, and their source, Latin prōvidentia (“providence, foresight”), from the present participle of prōvidēre (“to provide”). By surface analysis, provide + -ence. Displaced native Old English foresċēawung.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0