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.

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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

4. 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

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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

Explanation

An open declaration of an opinion or belief is a profession. If you announce that you believe the earth is flat, your profession of this opinion might cause some giggling among your well-educated friends. Careers that require specialized training or advanced degrees are considered professions. Your parents may want you to go into a profession like the practice of law, but you dream of being a rodeo clown. The collective group of people practicing a profession is also called profession. The medical profession doesn't know what to make of that thing growing out of your foot. You are a medical mystery!

Example Sentences

JC: One gets the sense that living here triggered your choice of profession?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

“Railroaded” gives a fascinating insider’s view of a vital and dangerous profession.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Blackmore admitted unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute, and failing to maintain professional boundaries, on 24 March.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

In a subsequent article, Cynthia’s mom, Gandy, who’d put up a $2,000 reward, criticized the newspaper’s focus on her daughter’s profession.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Yet even many people who despised the profession deemed it a necessary evil.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

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