profession

noun

pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfe-shən 

1

: the act of taking the vows of a religious community

2

: an act of openly declaring or publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion : protestation

3

: an avowed religious faith

4

a

: a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation

b

: a principal calling, vocation, or employment

c

: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling

Synonyms

• affirmation
• assertion
• asseveration
• avouchment
• avowal
• claim
• declaration
• insistence
• protestation

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

In Gallup’s 2023 Honesty and Ethics survey, U.S. adults were asked to rate the honesty and ethical standards of 23 professions. —Austin Irabor, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

In the interview, Hovde talked about advances in safety and technology in professions requiring manual labor. —Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2024

These group employment categories can represent multiple professions. —Rachel Wilson, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024

This dynamic extends beyond retail to professions where lives may be at risk. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2024

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 1

Phrases Containing profession

• the (world's) oldest profession

Kids Definition

profession

noun

pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfesh-ən 

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 

1

: a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation

2

: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling