professor

noun

pro·​fes·​sor prə-ˈfe-sər How to pronounce professor (audio)
1
: one that professes, avows, or declares
2
a
: a faculty member of the highest academic rank at an institution of higher education
b
: a teacher at a university, college, or sometimes secondary school
c
: one that teaches or professes special knowledge of an art, sport, or occupation requiring skill
professorship noun

Examples of professor in a Sentence

Professor Williams will be teaching the class.
Recent Examples on the Web According to Lucks, a professor of chemical and biological engineering, Chicago residents need to know and understand the quality of the water in their homes. Ezra Maille, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023 Schama, a professor of art history and history at Columbia University, is intrigued by the intersections of colonialism and scientific advancement. Julia M. Klein, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023 Unfortunately that’s not the case, because automakers’ factories in North America, which includes Canada and Mexico, are all tied together, Thomas Goldsby, professor of supply chain management at the University of Tennessee wrote in an email. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 10 Sep. 2023 Her professor wasn't the only one who was doubtful. The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2023 American Fiction begins with Monk, a college professor, teaching a class about America’s literary greats. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2023 That’s what happened to O’Connor, the Carnegie Mellon professor, earlier in her career. Byirina Ivanova, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2023 Permafrost thaw is now inevitable, said Torre Jorgenson, an affiliate professor at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. Alexandra Heal, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2023 Testimony from other women could be relevant in showing a pattern of behavior in similar situations, Loyola Law School professor Stan Goldman said. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'professor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of professor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near professor

Cite this Entry

“Professor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professor. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

professor

noun
pro·​fes·​sor prə-ˈfes-ər How to pronounce professor (audio)
: a teacher especially of the highest rank at a college or university
professorial
ˌprō-fə-ˈsōr-ē-əl How to pronounce professor (audio)
ˌpräf-ə-
-ˈsȯr-
adjective
professorially adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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