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

• externship
• internship
• practicum
• 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

The way the industry has done so in recent years is by expanding its marketing of the work as well as building out its apprenticeship programs. —Dylan Sherman, Arkansas Online, 19 May 2025

Thus far, its apprenticeship programs have helped more than 700 people and, in 2023, led to the development of a boutique commercial bakery in San Diego’s Old Town, according to Kitchens for Good. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025

Restrictions have also loosened to allow 529 plan funds to be used for continuing education classes, apprenticeship programs and student loan payments. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 14 May 2025

Think of this finance job as your apprenticeship in the trading world. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 13 May 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