profession

noun

pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfe-shən 

1

a

: a principal calling, vocation, or employment

b

: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling

c

: a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation

2

: an act of openly declaring or publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion : protestation

3

: the act of taking the vows of a religious community

4

: an avowed religious faith

Synonyms

• affirmation
• assertion
• asseveration
• avouchment
• avowal
• claim
• declaration
• insistence
• protestation

Examples of profession in a Sentence

The doctor talked to students who are thinking about entering the profession.

Most professions in the medical field require years of training.

Their daughter recently became a member of the medical profession.

Recent Examples on the Web

The unimpressed-looking stoic bride was captured munching on a snack while the groom addressed an endearing profession of love to her as her wedding party looked on. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Artists and entrepreneurs need to invent new human-centric professions where the soon-to-be-abundant human labor capacity can be shifted. —Amir Husain, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

At this point in the 42-year-old rapper’s career, Wayne, like Brady, has soared high enough in his profession to be considered one of the greatest of all-time. —Shaheem Reid, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024

Determined to give his family the perfect Christmas at a luxurious lake mansion, Hank tries to hide his dangerous profession. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English professioun, from Anglo-French profession, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin profession-, professio, from Latin, public declaration, from profitēri

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing profession

• oldest profession
• the oldest profession
• the oldest profession in the world
• the world's oldest profession
• world's oldest profession

Kids Definition

profession

noun

pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfesh-ən 

1

: the act of taking the vows of a religious community

2

: a public declaring or claiming (as of a belief, faith, or opinion)

3

a

: an occupation (as medicine, law, or teaching) that requires specialized knowledge and often advanced education

b

: a principal occupation or employment

c

: the people working in a profession

the legal profession

Medical Definition

profession

noun

pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfesh-ən 

1

: a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation

2

: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling