profession

[pruh-fesh-uhn]

noun

1. a vocation requiring knowledge of some department of learning or science.

   the profession of teaching.

   Synonyms: employment, calling

2. any vocation or business.

3. the body of persons engaged in an occupation or calling.

   to be respected by the medical profession.

4. the act of professing; avowal; a declaration, whether true or false.

   professions of dedication.

   Synonyms: protestation, assertion, asseveration

5. the declaration of belief in or acceptance of religion or a faith.

   the profession of Christianity.

6. a religion or faith professed.

7. the declaration made on entering into membership of a church or religious order.

profession

/ prəˈfɛʃən /

noun

1. an occupation requiring special training in the liberal arts or sciences, esp one of the three learned professions, law, theology, or medicine

2. the body of people in such an occupation

3. the act of professing; avowal; declaration

4. 1. Also called: profession of faith. a declaration of faith in a religion, esp as made on entering the Church of that religion or an order belonging to it

   2. the faith or the religion that is the subject of such a declaration

Other Word Forms

• professionless noun
• nonprofession noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of profession¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Medieval Latin professiōn-, stem of professiō “the taking of the vows of a religious order,” from profess(us) “declared publicly” ( professed ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of profession¹

C13: from Medieval Latin professiō the taking of vows upon entering a religious order, from Latin: public acknowledgment; see _profess

Synonym Study

See occupation.

Example Sentences

It was only when she began training for it that she realised the profession was incredibly male-dominated.

From BBC

“It is vital that the Bar and the Administration take strong action to show the public that the legal profession will not tolerate bad actors.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Trust in the medical profession began to drop."

From BBC

Decades-long industry veterans have pivoted to adjacent professions, including teaching and advertising.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead of applying for professions at smaller and less-established companies, Ms Morgan feels that graduates are focusing all their efforts on big, multinational companies.

From BBC

Related Words

• art 
• business 
• career 
• craft 
• employment 
• field 
• line of work www.thesaurus.com
• occupation 
• pursuit 
• role 
• situation 
• specialty 
• undertaking