apprenticeship

American  

[uh-pren-tis-ship] / əˈprɛn tɪsˌʃɪp /

noun

• apprenticeships
  plural

1. a program or position in which someone learns a trade by working under a certified expert.

   The course provides students with a good base for securing apprenticeships in the plumbing and gasfitting industries.

2. the state or position of any learner or novice.

   His apprenticeship in political struggle was gained in the Spanish Civil War.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• apprenticeships
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of apprenticeship

apprentice ( def. ) + -ship ( def. )

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Explanation

Apprenticeship is a kind of job training that involves following and studying a master of the trade on the job instead of in school. Carpenters, masons, doctors, and many other professionals often learn their trade through apprenticeship. The word apprenticeship comes from the Old French aprentiz meaning "someone learning" and the Anglian suffix -scip, meaning "state, condition of being." An apprenticeship is when someone is in a state or condition of learning from a master in a field. Some professions even have apprenticeship programs like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers where you can be assigned to apprentice, or study under a professional electrician.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

apprenticeship apprenticeships

At age 12, Martínez Celaya entered into an apprenticeship with a painter — the start of his formal artistic training — and around the same time he began cultivating an interest in writing and philosophy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

An actor's voice "is the result of years of rigorous training and apprenticeship" to hone talent, Yuko Sasaki, executive director of the Japan Actors Union, told AFP ahead of the ruling.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

Last week, analysis by the BBC found that competition for degree apprenticeships in England through the government's "find an apprenticeship" service, for example, had quadrupled over the past three years.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

After a short apprenticeship as a tinsmith, he chose a military career.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

“No indeed, Miss Havisham. I only wanted you to know that I am doing very well in my apprenticeship, and am always much obliged to you.”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

All colleges should partner with labor and employers to offer apprenticeships and “family-sustaining union careers,” he said, and the district should expand dual enrollment to allow more high school students to earn college credit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

I want to dramatically expand paid internships, apprenticeships and partnerships with employers and organized labor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Last week, analysis by the BBC found that competition for degree apprenticeships in England through the government's "find an apprenticeship" service, for example, had quadrupled over the past three years.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

While the number of high-school graduates in the U.S. who choose apprenticeships instead of college is rising, programs are mostly focused on blue-collar roles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

There were four whose apprenticeships were now complete.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

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