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profession

noun
pro·​fes·​sion | \ prÉ™-ˈfe-shÉ™n How to pronounce profession (audio) \

Definition of profession

1 : the act of taking the vows of a religious community
2 : an act of openly declaring or publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion : protestation
3 : an avowed religious faith
4a : a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation
b : a principal calling, vocation, or employment
c : the whole body of persons engaged in a calling
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about profession

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Examples of profession in a Sentence

The doctor talked to students who are thinking about entering the profession. Most professions in the medical field require years of training. Their daughter recently became a member of the medical profession.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 By contrast, in Europe and other countries where bank tellers are unionized, the profession is solidly middle class, Erin Mahoney, CBB coordinator, tells Quartz at Work. — Michelle Cheng, Quartz at Work, "Union pushes at places like YouTube and WeWork could transform white-collar work," 1 Sep. 2019 Richards, who will be at Sykesville Middle, said the teaching profession is hard work that doesn’t stop at the end of the school day. — Catalina Righter, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "‘I think we’ve chosen well and so have you’: Carroll schools welcome new teachers," 15 Aug. 2019 Some professions with a high percentage of problem-free drivers are well-paid and have regular and predictable hours, like postmasters. — Mary Wisniewski, chicagotribune.com, "Bartenders, reporters and sales reps rank among worst drivers, study says," 19 July 2019 But now the profession is coming to an existential moment. — Washington Post, "‘A golden prison’: In Brazil’s largest city, home security is a high-tech arms race," 9 July 2019 Efforts are under way to create an official association of paid and volunteer emergency medical responders to make sure the profession is aware of what's happening in Hartford and has an opportunity to influence legislation from now on. — Susan Haigh, courant.com, "Emergency medical workers want a voice at state Capitol," 8 July 2019 Brunt of Bollywood’s backlash Wasim’s post mentioned that being a part of the showbiz threatened her relationship with her religion, implying that the profession was immoral. — Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, "Amidst its many crises, India’s obsessing over an 18-year-old’s decision to quit Bollywood," 3 July 2019 Single moms also short-changed No profession is safe from the wage gap. — Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, "Moms Equal Pay Day: 'Shocking' statistics explain why working moms are so stressed," 10 June 2019 At just 23 years old, the Dodgers slugger has reached a pinnacle of his profession. — Jack Harriswriter, Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger learned to love baseball at the Little League World Series," 24 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'profession.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of profession

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for profession

Middle English professioun, from Anglo-French profession, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin profession-, professio, from Latin, public declaration, from profitēri

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More Definitions for profession

profession

noun
How to pronounce profession (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of profession

: a type of job that requires special education, training, or skill
: the people who work in a particular profession
formal : the act of declaring or saying something openly

See the full definition for profession in the English Language Learners Dictionary

profession

noun
pro·​fes·​sion | \ prÉ™-ˈfe-shÉ™n How to pronounce profession (audio) \

Kids Definition of profession

1 : an occupation (as medicine, law, or teaching) that is not mechanical or agricultural and that requires special education
2 : an act of publicly declaring or claiming a profession of religious faith
3 : the people working in an occupation

profession

noun
pro·​fes·​sion | \ prÉ™-ˈfesh-É™n How to pronounce profession (audio) \

Medical Definition of profession

1 : a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation
2 : the whole body of persons engaged in a calling

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More from Merriam-Webster on profession

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with profession

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for profession

Spanish Central: Translation of profession

Nglish: Translation of profession for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of profession for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about profession

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