pro

noun \ ˈprō \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of pro

plural pros

1 : an argument or evidence in affirmation

an appraisal of the pros and cons

2 : the affirmative side or one holding it

Examples of pro in a Sentence

He is a pro when it comes to household repairs.
She handled that tricky situation like an old pro.

Recent Examples of pro from the Web

The pros said the industry was the most vulnerable among the country's 16 critical infrastructure sectors — and 85 percent of them said a major cyberattack on critical infrastructure was likely in the next five years.

— derek hawkins, Washington Post, "The Cybersecurity 202: Why cybersecurity experts are so concerned about the health-care industry," 16 May 2018
Mahomes, the second-year pro slated to become the Chiefs starting quarterback this season, took in the KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday to support teammate Anthony Sherman in the honorary pace car.

— blair kerkhoff and pete grathoff, kansascity, "'I like being in Kansas City.' Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs' man about town | The Kansas City Star," 16 May 2018
She also has been backed by Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry and state representatives Patrick Henry, D-Daytona Beach, and Joyce Cusack, D-DeLand, as well as the pro-choice group Emily’s List, End Citizens United and Foreign Policy for America.

— steven lemongello, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Joe Biden endorses Nancy Soderberg for Congress," 14 May 2018
Rookie Desmond King and third-year pro Adrian Phillips were valuable nickel and dime-package coverage men and run-defenders in 2017.

— mike digiovanna, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chargers notes: Secondary a pain for opponents; Gordon's motivation," 14 May 2018
Activist Mike Teachworth of Harvey sued, but a recount increased the pro-toll margin to 36 votes.

— drew broach, NOLA.com, "Bridge tolls were killed on Crescent City Connection five years ago; what has changed?," 11 May 2018
The Middle Class PAC has spent nearly $1 million on pro-Lazer TV advertising that will air through Monday, according to a source familiar with ad buys in the area.

— holly otterbein, Philly.com, "Bernie Sanders endorses Rich Lazer for Congress," 11 May 2018
In this cooking class, learn how to pan-roast and spatchcock poultry, and look like a pro while doing it.

— nicole d. smith, ajc, "Things to do in and around Atlanta for Thursday, May 10," 11 May 2018
Even the pros are boarding the plogging train, like American elite distance runner Michael Wardian, who took the time to plog during a recent taper run.

— jenny mccoy, SELF, "What You Need to Know About ‘Plogging,’ The New Eco-Friendly Fitness Craze," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pro.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pro

Middle English, from Latin, preposition, for — more at for

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

pro

adverb

Definition of pro

: on the affirmative side : in affirmation

much has been written pro and con

See pro defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of pro from the Web

These were free resources that assisted in preparing people to return to the community with less anger and better skills to live pro-socially.

— samantha melamed, Philly.com, "Pennsylvania's newest, most expensive prison is finally ready - and inmates are dreading it," 17 May 2018
House Republicans' version of events on why Russia meddled in the 2016 election — and how the FBI handled its ensuing investigation — has been noticeably pro-Trump.

— amber phillips, Washington Post, "The Russia report Trump likes best just took a big credibility hit," 16 May 2018
Tony Podesta, an influential Democratic lobbyist, resigned from his namesake firm last October after Mueller’s indictments of Manafort turned up connections between the firm and Manafort’s foreign-lobbying work for Ukraine’s pro-Moscow government.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Robert Mueller’s Most Important Accomplishment," 16 May 2018
Gizmodo Soros Exits Hungary Viktor Orban’s relentless campaign against George Soros’s pro-democracy foundation has finally prevailed.

— alan murray, Fortune, "Oracle vs Google, Tesla Decisions, Gap Gaffe: CEO Daily for May 15, 2018," 15 May 2018
The KKW Beauty pro marked the holiday with a rare photo of herself and all three of her children — Chicago, 4 months, Saint, 2, and North, 5 next month.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Kanye West Tweets He Hasn't Returned Texts Because He Got Rid of His Phone Two Weeks Ago," 15 May 2018
But even presidents with a reputation for being strongly pro-Israel, such as George W. Bush, took a more tempered approach than Trump has.

— zack beauchamp, Vox, "Trump, Gaza, and the “blank check” approach to Israel," 15 May 2018
Hollis recently spoke with DMan's World by phone: DW: Why turn pro?

— dennis manoloff, cleveland.com, "Rocky River native Jillian Hollis, on eve of turning pro, checks in with DMan's World," 13 May 2018
Nashville’s pro-transiteers knew this and tried to make the point.

— nick stockton, WIRED, "Why Traffic-Choked Nashville Said 'No Thanks' to Public Transit," 9 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of pro

pro-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

pro

preposition

Definition of pro

: in favor of : for

Origin and Etymology of pro

Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1817

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

pro

noun or adjective

Definition of pro

: professional

See pro defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of pro from the Web

The pros said the industry was the most vulnerable among the country's 16 critical infrastructure sectors — and 85 percent of them said a major cyberattack on critical infrastructure was likely in the next five years.

— derek hawkins, Washington Post, "The Cybersecurity 202: Why cybersecurity experts are so concerned about the health-care industry," 16 May 2018
This hole is expected to be played from a little more than 100 yards, which means the pros should be throwing darts at the pin all day.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "For its 50th anniversary, the Byron Nelson golf tournament sets a new course | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 16 May 2018
And now comes the next chapter – her first appearance with the pros.

— steve lyttle, charlotteobserver, "Dinosaurs helped put a 15-year-old in this pro golf tournament in Davidson | Charlotte Observer," 16 May 2018
Mahomes, the second-year pro slated to become the Chiefs starting quarterback this season, took in the KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday to support teammate Anthony Sherman in the honorary pace car.

— blair kerkhoff and pete grathoff, kansascity, "'I like being in Kansas City.' Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs' man about town | The Kansas City Star," 16 May 2018
Even the pros are boarding the plogging train, like American elite distance runner Michael Wardian, who took the time to plog during a recent taper run.

— jenny mccoy, SELF, "What You Need to Know About ‘Plogging,’ The New Eco-Friendly Fitness Craze," 11 May 2018
Reward Mom with a surfing lesson from the pros at Malibu Surf Shack and a stay at the luxury Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica.

— mary forgione, latimes.com, "Mother's Day gifts that are all about travel and adventure," 11 May 2018
The pro will also school you on the power delivery of the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic in front-wheel drive.

— robert duffer, chicagotribune.com, "Cool test drive events in Chicago this weekend," 11 May 2018
The candidate with more endorsements nationally and statewide (Richard Cordray) handily beat the candidate with few endorsements outside the pro-Sanders Our Revolution and the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Dennis Kucinich).

— chuck todd, NBC News, "It was a tough primary night for D.C. 'insiders' — specifically, members of Congress," 9 May 2018

First Known Use of pro

1856

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PRO

abbreviation

Definition of PRO

public relations officer

pro-

prefix

Definition of pro-

1 a : earlier than : prior to : before

prothalamion

b : rudimentary : prot-

pronucleus

c : precursory

proinsulin

2 a : located in front of or at the front of : anterior to

procephalic

b : front : anterior

prothorax

3 : projecting

prognathous

Origin and Etymology of pro-

New Latin, from Latin, from Greek, before, forward, forth, for, from pro — more at for

pro-

prefix

Definition of pro-

1 : taking the place of : substituting for

procathedral

procaine

2 : favoring : supporting : championing

pro-American

Origin and Etymology of pro-

Latin pro in front of, before, for, forward — more at for

PRO Defined for English Language Learners

pro

adverb

Definition of pro for English Language Learners

: in favor of something

pro

adjective

Definition of pro for English Language Learners

: paid to participate in a sport or activity
: done by people who are paid to play or compete in a sport or activity

PRO Defined for Kids

pro

noun \ ˈprō \

Definition of pro for Students

plural pros

: an argument or evidence in favor of something

We weighed the pros and cons of wind power.

pro

adverb

Definition of pro for Students

: in favor of something

We heard arguments pro and con.

pro

noun or adjective

Definition of pro for Students

: professional

pro athletes

He sank the putt like a pro.

pro-

prefix

Definition of pro- for Students

: approving : in favor of

Medical Dictionary

Pro

abbreviation

medical Definition of Pro

proline; prolyl

PRO

abbreviation

medical Definition of PRO

peer review organization

Learn More about pro

See words that rhyme with pro Spanish Central: Translation of pro Nglish: Translation of pro for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pro for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pro? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

pro

Definition of pro

Examples of pro in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pro from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pro

pro

Definition of pro

Recent Examples of pro from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pro

pro

Definition of pro

Origin and Etymology of pro

pro

Definition of pro

Recent Examples of pro from the Web

First Known Use of pro

PRO

Definition of PRO

pro-

Definition of pro-

Origin and Etymology of pro-

pro-

Definition of pro-

Origin and Etymology of pro-

Phrases Related to PRO

Related Phrases

PRO Defined for English Language Learners

pro

Definition of pro for English Language Learners

pro

Definition of pro for English Language Learners

PRO Defined for Kids

pro

Definition of pro for Students

pro

Definition of pro for Students

pro

Definition of pro for Students

pro-

Definition of pro- for Students

Medical Dictionary

Pro

medical Definition of Pro

PRO

medical Definition of PRO

Learn More about pro

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

9 Words from the Magical Realm

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word