profession

noun

pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfe-shən How to pronounce profession (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications spells trouble for those like Coverdale in rural parts of the country who rely on immigrants to fill vacancies in skilled professions like education and health care. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 Teachers, coaches, and parents—once supportive of their students and children choosing to take up the profession of arms—may now hesitate. Loree Sutton, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Another is PageGroup, valued at £769 million, which works across professions including accountancy and law. Ian King, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025 Sellhorn said the amount of work and pay scale compounded with increasing regulations and standards for teachers makes the profession less attractive to those who might consider the career. Tory Basile, IndyStar, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for profession

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of profession was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Profession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profession. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

profession

noun
pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfesh-ən How to pronounce profession (audio)
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 How to pronounce profession (audio)
1
: a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation
2
: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling

More from Merriam-Webster on profession

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