professionalize

verb

pro·​fes·​sion·​al·​ize prə-ˈfesh-nə-ˌlīz 

-ˈfe-shə-nə-ˌlīz

professionalized; professionalizing

transitive verb

: to give a professional character to

professionalization

prə-ˌfesh-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌfe-shə-nə-lə-

noun

Examples of professionalize in a Sentence

The country is professionalizing the military.

Recent Examples on the Web

Friday’s Club Sportico essay examines the money behind the LLWS and the broader Little League organization, which is trying to balance its tradition and accessibility with those broader forces professionalizing youth sports. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Pairing that hardware with technical assistance is what professionalizes governance and brings local operations fully in line with the highest international environmental and engineering standards. — Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

That is, unless ongoing, face-to-face diplomacy is strengthened and professionalized. — Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026

He was brought in to professionalize the country's new domestic league and support Japan's successful bid to co-host the World Cup in 2002. — ABC News, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for professionalize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize

Kids Definition

professionalize

verb

pro·​fes·​sion·​al·​ize prə-ˈfesh-nəl-ˌīz 

-ən-ᵊl-

professionalized; professionalizing

: to give a professional nature to