pro

noun \ ˈprō \

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

Each of these pro-consumer and pro-depositor provisions reflects the commonsense remedies that came out of the tumult of the 2008 financial crisis.

— robert reed, chicagotribune.com, "If anti-consumer bank law is passed, more Wells Fargo-like scandals are coming," 29 Aug. 2017
And now the Open has departed, less than a decade after approval of open competition between pros and amateurs created the boom.

— dave anderson, New York Times, "The U.S. Open’s Last Day at Forest Hills," 26 Aug. 2017
And while there are cons about that, there are some pros for us.

— vann r. newkirk ii, The Atlantic, "What Health Reform Means to the American Territories," 26 Aug. 2017
Their hugs help set a familial tone, but their musicianship is pure pro.

— melena ryzik, The Seattle Times, "Haim wants to prove that vintage vibes still feel just fine," 25 Aug. 2017
The two biggest things that follow guys from high school to college and college to the pros are completion percentage and interception percentage.

— zach berman, Philly.com, "Why interception percentage is the quarterback metric most important to Eagles QB coach John DeFilippo," 23 Aug. 2017
The president on Tuesday expressed incredulity and dismay at CNN's decision this month to fire a pro-Trump analyst who tweeted a Nazi slogan.

— andrew degrandpre, Washington Post, "Trump lamented ‘poor’ Jeffrey Lord, the CNN analyst fired tweeting a Nazi salute," 22 Aug. 2017
The national marketing company analyzed 67 pro teams in 11 major markets, including the four in Greater Miami.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "Florida Panthers top fan survey among local pro teams; Which team finished last?," 16 Aug. 2017
Because CM represents quite a change from the traditional approach, Bob asked my opinion and the pros and cons. ACCESSIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE CM requires payment of a retainer fee to your personal physician, thus greatly increasing accessibility.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "Is 'concierge medicine' the right choice for you?," 10 Aug. 2017

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

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

Herman is one of six South Florida high school interns for StandWithUs (SWU) who will spread pro-Israel messages on their campuses and in their communities following the recent StandWithUs High School Intern Conference in Los Angeles.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "South Florida high schoolers spreading pro-Israel message," 23 Aug. 2017
Running back became a bellwether position for IU offenses under Kevin Wilson, turning out pro-caliber players like Jordan Howard and Tevin Coleman, plus two-time 1,000-yard rusher Devine Redding.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "Consistency name of the game as Hoosiers search for RB to step up," 16 Aug. 2017
The 39-year-old Cincinnati native turned pro in 2000.

— dave clark, Cincinnati.com, "Jim Herman among early PGA Championship leaders," 10 Aug. 2017
Where once the Democrats were the lockstep pro-Israel party and Republicans were divided about backing Israel, the parties’ positions are now reversed.

— jonathan s. tobin, National Review, "Democrats Who Want to Be President Back Away from Israel," 7 Aug. 2017
The Roman governor heard about the revolt and rushed back—but not before an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 Romans and pro-Roman Britons were killed in the three cities by warriors led by Boudica.

— samantha leal, Marie Claire, "Women Warriors: The Hidden History of Female Combat Heroes," 28 July 2017
He was reprimanded on several occasions for threatening to hurt or kill other service members, and for arguing pro-ISIS views while at work and on base, the FBI affidavit says.

— jeanette steele, sandiegouniontribune.com, "5 things to know about U.S. soldier charged with aiding ISIS," 24 July 2017
KU’s Self added of a change to the current system in which players are allowed to turn pro a year after their high school class graduates, with a minimum age of 19.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "KU notebook: Keenan Fitzmorris of St. James Academy chooses Stanford," 4 July 2017
Tegeris emphasized at the meeting that the group is also pro-farmer, and that their focus is on protecting the rural communities that include them.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "Residents gear up for fight against mulching bill," 30 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of pro

pro-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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

See Words from the same year

pro

noun or adjective

Definition of pro

:professional

See pro defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of pro

1856

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

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pro

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pro

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PRO

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pro-

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