apprenticeship
Americannoun
-
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.
-
the state or position of any learner or novice.
His apprenticeship in political struggle was gained in the Spanish Civil War.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of apprenticeship
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.
Vocabulary lists containing apprenticeship
"Creativity at Work" and "The Hidden Secrets of the Creative Mind"
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The State of the Union Address 2015
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Obama's State of the Union Address, 2014
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Scottish shipyards do have strong apprenticeship programmes and BAE has opened a shipbuilding academy at Scotstoun.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
Chicago’s community-college system is preparing to start an apprenticeship program to supply students with technical skills to companies at the park.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
Even with "a substantial apprenticeship programme", he said his company could not train everyone they needed, and would need to turn to France, Germany or Poland to find personnel.
From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026
Funds in the account may be used for qualified higher-education expenses, including tuition at a college, university, trade school, vocational school or apprenticeship program.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 8, 2026
Before her apprenticeship, when she did a standard search for things, the Thunderhead would invariably intrude, saying something like, I see you are searching for a gift.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
He also said he wanted to secure more work placements for 16 to 18-year-olds and guarantees of apprenticeships.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
He said it was: "Bringing forward the biggest youth employment reforms in a generation including a Youth Jobs Grant for businesses starting next month, more apprenticeships and subsidised employment to help young people."
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
Lockheed Martin and other contractors partnered with Southern Arkansas University Tech to expand apprenticeships and training.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2026
But apprenticeships that offer pay to learn on the job and new training programs are helping entice more people.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026
Most students spend at least three or four terms finishing their apprenticeships.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
