profession

noun

pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfe-shən How to pronounce profession (audio)
1
a
: a principal calling, vocation, or employment
b
: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling
c
: a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation
2
: an act of openly declaring or publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion : protestation
3
: the act of taking the vows of a religious community
4
: an avowed religious faith

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and the new Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, individuals in qualifying professions or financial situations can reduce or eliminate their debt. Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 Using her profession and platform for good has been a continuous theme of Beattie’s career. Ali Rampling, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 That’s not a popular view in the profession, however. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025 In Spring 2023, 94.6% of graduates were employed in nursing professions. Advertorial, Orange County Register, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for profession 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of profession was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near profession

Cite this Entry

“Profession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profession. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

profession

noun
pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfesh-ən How to pronounce profession (audio)
1
: the act of taking the vows of a religious community
2
: a public declaring or claiming (as of a belief, faith, or opinion)
3
a
: an occupation (as medicine, law, or teaching) that requires specialized knowledge and often advanced education
b
: a principal occupation or employment
c
: the people working in a profession
the legal profession

Medical Definition

profession

noun
pro·​fes·​sion prə-ˈfesh-ən How to pronounce profession (audio)
1
: a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation
2
: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling

More from Merriam-Webster on profession

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