profession

[ pruh-fesh-uhn ]

noun

1. a vocation requiring knowledge of some department of learning or science: Compare learned profession.

   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 calledprofession 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 Words From

• pro·fession·less noun
• nonpro·fession 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

Zuckerman said he and Antonen also bonded over the joys of raising young sons and the challenges of doing so while in a profession that sometimes requires long stretches on the road.

From Washington Post

I can’t think of many other professions where you have the chance to work with a small team where everyone is from a different part of the world.

From Fortune

My hands are my profession, just like the NBA players’ hands are their profession.

From Washington Post

The Invite, of course, is steeped in topical humor, and I’d think there’d be ways to incorporate current events into your song, depending on what profession you choose to write about.

From Washington Post

He spent several years as a professional racecar driver until 2005, when he left the profession to become a Capitol Police officer.

From Washington Post

The military has been trying to stop current and former special operators from discussing their secretive profession.

From The Daily Beast

Today that singularly revered profession is actually many jobs rolled into one.

From The Daily Beast

Who will want to enter this profession for a poverty wage and little or no paid time off?

From The Daily Beast

The ones who could handle her profession stuck around for many years.

From The Daily Beast

This is one of the most subtle and touching aspects of the profession.

From The Daily Beast

We have been in the profession some years, Mr. Pickwick, and have been honoured with the confidence of many excellent clients.

From Project Gutenberg

This time there was no interference, and Ney so severely wounded his adversary that he was unable to continue his profession.

From Project Gutenberg

And, hence, a standing of Christian profession higher than has yet been attained to by any, has to be aspired at.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.

From Project Gutenberg

At times a question occurs to me whether that's his real name, or one assumed in his profession.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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