apprenticeship

noun

ap·​pren·​tice·​ship ə-ˈpren-tə(sh)-ˌship 

ə-ˈpren-təs-ˌship

1

: a position as an apprentice : an arrangement in which someone learns an art, trade, or job under another

He obtained an apprenticeship with a carpenter.

Later that year, he decided to become a barrister—a career that requires acceptance into an apprenticeship …

—Sidney Blumenthal

2

: the period of time when a person is an apprentice

During most of his apprenticeship he lived in Paris …

—Robert Penn Warren

a two-year apprenticeship

Synonyms

• internship
• training

Examples of apprenticeship in a Sentence

only after long apprenticeship as a camera operator was he appointed director of photography on a major motion picture

Recent Examples on the Web

Evers denied the request but instead proposed that the state Department of Workforce Development, a partner on the apprenticeship program, invest $1 million annually to help school districts pay for the cost of apprentices. —Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Schneider’s training at the Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest apprenticeship program played a big role in their journey, allowing Schneider to get hands-on work experience. —Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

Also, partner with apprenticeship intermediaries and local workforce agencies—every state has them, and they’re often overlooked. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Many get into the field by taking auto shop classes in school, though vocational programs and apprenticeships can be a foot in the door, too. —Sarah Bregel, Parents, 23 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for apprenticeship

• associateship
• bipartisanship
• conservatorship
• distributorship
• proprietorship
• secretaryship
• airship
• airstrip
• clerkship
• courtship
• equip
• filmstrip

Kids Definition

apprenticeship

noun

ap·​pren·​tice·​ship

ə-ˈprent-əs-ˌship

1

: service as an apprentice

2

: the period during which a person serves as an apprentice