professor

American  

[pruh-fes-er] / prəˈfɛs ər /

noun

1. a teacher of the highest academic rank in a college or university, who has been awarded the title Professor in a particular branch of learning; a full professor.

   a professor of Spanish literature.

2. any teacher who has the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor.

3. a teacher.

4. an instructor in some art or skilled sport.

   a professor of singing; a professor of boxing.

5. a person who professes or declares particular sentiments, beliefs, etc.

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professor British  

/ prəˈfɛsə, ˌprɒfɪˈsɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. the principal lecturer or teacher in a field of learning at a university or college; a holder of a university chair

2. any teacher in a university or college See also associate professor assistant professor full professor

3. a person who claims skill and instructs others in some sport, occupation, etc

4. a person who professes his opinions, beliefs, etc

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Other Word Forms

• nonprofessorial
  adjective
• nonprofessorially
  adverb
• professorial
  adjective
• professorialism
  noun
• professorially
  adverb
• pseudoprofessorial
  adjective
• subprofessor
  noun
• unprofessorial
  adjective
• unprofessorially
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of professor

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Medieval Latin prōfessor “one who has taken the vows of a religious order,” Latin: “a public lecturer,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + -fet-, combining form of fatērī “to acknowledge, declare” + -tor -tor, with tt becoming ss

Explanation

A professor is someone who teaches at a college or university. Professor is officially a teacher of the highest rank, above adjuncts and lecturers, but college students can call them all professor. The Latin origin of the word means “declare publicly,” and professors are responsible for publicly sharing their knowledge with the world, or at least with whoever can afford to pay them for lessons. Although anyone teaching college can be called a professor, it’s really a title that has to be earned by going to graduate school and moving up by being an assistant professor, then associate professor, and finally a full professor.

Example Sentences

Lead author Corey Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology at Flinders University, says the findings reveal a clear sign that humanity is operating beyond the planet's natural limits.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

"The choices we make over the coming decades will determine the well-being of future generations and the resilience of the natural world that supports all life," concludes Professor Bradshaw.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

Professor Sumantra Ray, chief scientist & executive director, NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which co-owns BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, said the findings support existing knowledge about vitamin C improving iron absorption.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

"This is what climate change feels like," Hannah Cloke, Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate at the University of Reading told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Sitting to her left was the mysterious professor who had whispered in her ear, and to her right was Professor Green looking smug about something.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• assistant
• educator
• faculty member
• fellow
• instructor
• lecturer
• principal
• teacher
• tutor