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

But putting Antonelli with Bonnington is just one example of the care Mercedes have taken with the start of Antonelli's F1 career.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Elsewhere in the Newhouse sale, a trio of works marking key shifts in Picasso’s career soared.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

He has said over and over again that he knew Antonelli would make mistakes at the start of his career, but that equally he knew he would come good.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Back when he was a student on that campus, Mr. Ace said he was always involved in art and knew he wanted a career as an artist.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Though Dorothy Vaughan would continue her career at Langley, her job as the manager of West Computing was over.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• course
• race