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profession

American  
[pruh-fesh-uhn] / prəˈfɛʃ ən /

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 British  
/ 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

    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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See occupation.

Other Word Forms

  • nonprofession noun
  • professionless noun

Etymology

Origin of profession

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

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.

I analyze complex investments as a profession—I find this type of work fun.

From The Wall Street Journal

Across Palestine, teachers described their profession as deeply demoralized and in crisis.

From Science Daily

The vet says a drive to increase revenue is undermining his profession.

From BBC

In Price's view, her own profession bears some responsibility, too.

From BBC

It was these sorts of promises that helped lure Hummel into the profession.

From The Wall Street Journal