career

[kuh-reer]

noun

1. an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework.

   He sought a career as a lawyer.

2. a person's progress or general course of action through life or through a phase of life, as in some profession or undertaking.

   His career as a soldier ended with the armistice.

   Synonyms: livelihood, lifework, work, calling, vocation

3. success in a profession, occupation, etc.

4. a course, especially a swift one.

5. speed, especially full speed.

   The horse stumbled in full career.

6. Archaic.,  a charge at full speed.

verb (used without object)

1. to run or move rapidly along; go at full speed.

adjective

1. having or following a career; professional.

   a career diplomat.

career

/ kəˈrɪə /

noun

1. a path or progress through life or history

2. a profession or occupation chosen as one's life's work

3. (modifier) having or following a career as specified

   a career diplomat

4. a course or path, esp a swift or headlong one

verb

1. (intr) to move swiftly along; rush in an uncontrolled way

Word History and Origins

Origin of career¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French carriere, from Old Provençal carriera, literally, “road,” from Late Latin carrāria (via) “vehicular (road),” equivalent to Latin carr(us) “wagon” ( car ¹ ) + -āria (feminine of -ārius -ary )

Word History and Origins

Origin of career¹

C16: from French carrière, from Late Latin carrāria carriage road, from Latin carrus two-wheeled wagon, _car

Idioms and Phrases

see checkered career.

Example Sentences

He sounded at peace with the possibility of landing on the losing side of a California campaign for one of the few times in his political career.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Removing graduation years from the education section of your résumé is another way to fuzz up your career length.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“We’re talking about songs that are famous, potentially, or artists that have recognizable careers and voices,” Sanchez said “We want to be able to control that environment really well.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr Saddiq, who later took a two-year career break, said the incident left him with severe mental health trauma and PTSD.

Read more on BBC

Mr. Paxton is making a career of attacking business, and his suit against Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, and its former parent, Johnson & Johnson, fits the pattern.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• course 
• race