career

American  

[kuh-reer] / kəˈrɪər /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

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

career Idioms  

1. see checkered career.

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Etymology

Origin of career

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” ( see car ¹) + -āria (feminine of -ārius -ary )

Explanation

You may have to take jobs as a dog walker, cat groomer, and fish feeder before you complete school for a career as a veterinarian. Small jobs in the short term give you experience for a long-term career. Career comes from the French carrière, from an older word for "street" or "road." Staying on track for a certain career is like driving a car in one direction on a road, instead of veering in different directions. Maybe the expression "career path" is helpful in remembering that a career is something that progresses, or moves forward on a set path. It can also be used as a verb to describe something moving quickly and uncontrollably, like a car careering into a ditch.

Example Sentences

I know that being a candidate has rescued you from anonymity after your career in reality TV went off a cliff.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

"This is the best day of my life for sure. Because in my career, I managed many successes starting from zero in my business. But football is a crazy thing," Ilicali told Sky Sports.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Busch was known throughout his career as a competitor who gave no quarter—talking trash, getting into scuffles, and even crashing cars—in pursuit of victory.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

For Donald Trump Jr., the wedding marked a significant personal milestone and a new chapter in a highly visible family life that has long unfolded alongside his father’s political career.

From Salon • May 23, 2026

After a career of galloping to hounds, and a historic reputation as America's premier man on horseback, he was never able to hold his seat in the saddle with the same confidence.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• course
• race