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British

profession

[ pruh-fesh-uhn ]

/ prəˈfɛʃ ən /

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noun

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

any vocation or business.

the body of persons engaged in an occupation or calling: to be respected by the medical profession.

the act of professing; avowal; a declaration, whether true or false: professions of dedication.

the declaration of belief in or acceptance of religion or a faith: the profession of Christianity.

a religion or faith professed.

the declaration made on entering into membership of a church or religious order.

OTHER WORDS FOR profession

1 calling, employment.

4 asseveration, assertion, protestation.

See synonyms for profession on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of profession

1175–1225; Middle English <Medieval Latin professiōn- (stem of professiō) the taking of the vows of a religious order. See professed, -ion

synonym study for profession

1. See occupation.

OTHER WORDS FROM profession

pro·fes·sion·less, nounnon·pro·fes·sion, noun

Words nearby profession

Prof. Eng., profert, profess, professed, professedly, profession, professional, professional association, professional corporation, professional foul, professionalism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use profession in a sentence

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.
Friends and colleagues mourn the loss of Mel Antonen, longtime MLB reporter|Scott Allen|February 1, 2021|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.
The future of maternity workwear is all in the details|Rachel King|January 31, 2021|Fortune
My hands are my profession, just like the NBA players’ hands are their profession.
NBA players should wait on vaccination and ramp up advocacy, experts say|Ben Golliver|January 22, 2021|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.
Style Conversational Week 1420: Back to the vocal point|Pat Myers|January 21, 2021|Washington Post

He spent several years as a professional racecar driver until 2005, when he left the profession to become a Capitol Police officer.
Capitol Police Chief Sund has stepped down; embattled agency reports another officer death|Allison Klein, Rebecca Tan|January 11, 2021|Washington Post
The military has been trying to stop current and former special operators from discussing their secretive profession.
Exclusive: Bin Laden ‘Shooter’ Under Investigation for Leaking Secrets|Shane Harris|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Today that singularly revered profession is actually many jobs rolled into one.
Renaissance Man Jared Leto Defies Categorization|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Who will want to enter this profession for a poverty wage and little or no paid time off?
Care Providers Fight for $15 and a Union|Jasmin Almodovar, Shirley Thompson|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ones who could handle her profession stuck around for many years.
Whip It: Secrets of a Dominatrix|Justin Jones|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is one of the most subtle and touching aspects of the profession.
The Real-Life Raiders of the Lost Ark|Alex Belth|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We have been in the profession some years, Mr. Pickwick, and have been honoured with the confidence of many excellent clients.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
This time there was no interference, and Ney so severely wounded his adversary that he was unable to continue his profession.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
And, hence, a standing of Christian profession higher than has yet been attained to by any, has to be aspired at.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
At times a question occurs to me whether that's his real name, or one assumed in his profession.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for profession

profession

/ (prəˈfɛʃən) /

noun

an occupation requiring special training in the liberal arts or sciences, esp one of the three learned professions, law, theology, or medicine

the body of people in such an occupation

the act of professing; avowal; declaration

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
the faith or the religion that is the subject of such a declaration

Word Origin for profession

C13: from Medieval Latin professiō the taking of vows upon entering a religious order, from Latin: public acknowledgment; see profess

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