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

Many theories persist as to what happened, whether Tony was killed or whether the cliffhanger insinuates that the mob boss would always live with the possibility of being murdered because of his dangerous profession. —Skyler Trepel, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025

Bob is the founder and CEO of Digital Directors Network the leader in developing the practice and profession of digital and cybersecurity governance. —Bob Zukis, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Just like in all professions, people know each other. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2025

His women looking for love range from aged 21 to 31 and hail from Puerto Rico, Canada, Texas and New York, among other locations, with their professions ranging from pediatrician, venture capitalist and boxing trainer to social media manager. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025

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