professionalism

pro·fes·sion·al·ism

noun \prə-ˈfesh-nə-ˌli-zəm, -ˈfe-shə-nə-ˌli-\

Definition of PROFESSIONALISM

1

: the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person(see ¹professional)

2

: the following of a profession (as athletics) for gain or livelihood

Examples of PROFESSIONALISM

1. A high level of professionalism is expected when working with clients.
2. She is highly respected for her professionalism.
3. For writers such as Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson, struggling in the transition from the age of patronage to that of Grub Street professionalism, Shakespeare offered not only a body of poetic invention but also an inspirational career trajectory. —Jonathan Bate, Harper's, April 2007
4. In Washington, careerism has so trumped professionalism among political journalists as to render Alterman's ethical concerns almost quaint. —Gene Lyons, Harper's, October 2003
5. It is difficult not to contrast the professionalism of modestly paid firefighters and police doing their duty on September 11 with the secretive … behavior of six- and seven-figure accountants, lawyers, CEOs, bankers, and financial analysts who failed at their duty with Enron. —Bruce Nussbaum, Business Week, 28 Jan. 2002

First Known Use of PROFESSIONALISM

1856

Rhymes with PROFESSIONALISM

abolitionism, academicism, agrarianism, anthropomorphism, anti-Semitism, bicameralism, colloquialism, colonialism, constitutionalism, cosmopolitism, ecumenicism, exceptionalism, exhibitionism, existentialism, fundamentalism, Hegelianism, hermaphroditism, hyperrealism, imperialism, industrialism, instrumentalism, interventionism, irrationalism, isolationism, Malthusianism, Manichaeanism, materialism, millennialism, Monophysitism, multilingualism, neoclassicism, Neoplatonism, neorealism, Nestorianism, Occidentalism, orientalism, parochialism, Pelagianism, phenomenalism, photojournalism, pictorialism, Postimpressionism, pseudoclassicism, reconstructionism, republicanism, Rosicrucianism, sacerdotalism, self-determinism, sadomasochism, sectarianism, sensationalism, sentimentalism, spiritualism, Tractarianism, traditionalism, transcendentalism, ultramontanism, universalism, utopianism, vocationalism