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

Billionaire Michele Kang has made a splash in women’s sports with her goal of professionalizing women’s soccer. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2025

Vrabel has modernized, professionalized and aggrandized the Patriots in a matter of months. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Matchroom has sought to professionalize the production of tournaments. —Jeremy Herb, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

Eleanor Roosevelt first professionalized the office there, and in 1977, Rosalynn Carter started the tradition of the office of the first lady being located in the wing, alongside the White House social secretary. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

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