professor

noun

pro·​fes·​sor prə-ˈfe-sər 

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

prə-ˈfe-sər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of professor in a Sentence

Professor Williams will be teaching the class.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the race for Seat 6, incumbent Gabriel Buelna was in second, followed by community college professor Roberto David LaCarra in third, according to the early returns. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

In his campaign, Achilles sought to capitalize on anti-establishment, anti-Washington sentiment and position himself as a political outsider, Charlies Hunt, a Boise State University political science professor, previously told the Idaho Statesman. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026

Karine Hassoun called on Egyptian painters, professors, and artisans for her eight-cabin dahabeah, Nile Divine, a celebration of contemporary Egyptian craft. — Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026

Northwestern University professor Erik Nisbet, director of the Center for Communication and Public Policy, expects the same to happen this midterm election. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing professor

• assistant professor
• associate professor
• regius professor

Rhymes for professor

• aggressor
• assessor
• compressor
• confessor
• depressor
• hairdresser
• necessar
• oppressor
• possessor
• processor
• repressor
• successor

Kids Definition

professor

noun

pro·​fes·​sor prə-ˈfes-ər 

: a teacher especially of the highest rank at a college or university

professorial

ˌprō-fə-ˈsōr-ē-əl 

ˌpräf-ə-, 

-ˈsȯr-

adjective

professorially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb