professionalize

verb

pro·​fes·​sion·​al·​ize prə-ˈfesh-nə-ˌlīz 

-ˈfe-shə-nə-ˌlīz

professionalized; professionalizing

transitive verb

: to give a professional character to

professionalization

prə-ˌfesh-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌfe-shə-nə-lə-

noun

Examples of professionalize in a Sentence

The country is professionalizing the military.

Recent Examples on the Web

College basketball has become increasingly professionalized over the past several years. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 2 Apr. 2026

The game has professionalized as money reshaped the sports landscape, and competitive advantages shifted to big schools with seemingly unlimited budgets when the NCAA took over the sport in 1982. —ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

For any medical practice that needs to professionalize its operations quickly, Looped offers a streamlined and cost-effective way to do so. —Malana Van Tyler, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

College football is professionalized now. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for professionalize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize

Kids Definition

professionalize

verb

pro·​fes·​sion·​al·​ize prə-ˈfesh-nəl-ˌīz 

-ən-ᵊl-

professionalized; professionalizing

: to give a professional nature to