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 2022, the society’s annual lawyer’s convention featured no less than four panels complaining about the fact that Federalist Society members sometimes feel unwelcome at law schools and in various institutions within the legal profession due to their conservative views. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 12 Aug. 2024

Officer suicide is one of the highest among all professions. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2024

In any profession, having an internet presence is essential for doing business. —Cory Dawson, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Aug. 2024

By the numbers: People are already fleeing the profession. —Sami Sparber, Axios, 17 Aug. 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