profession
nounCA, US, UK /pɹəˈfɛʃ.ən/ · AU, NZ /pɹəˈfeʃ.ən/
Etymology From Middle English professioun, from Anglo-Norman professioun, Old French profession (“declaration of faith, religious vows, occupation”), from Latin professiō (“avowal, public declaration”), from the participle stem of profitērī (“to profess”). By surface analysis, profess + -ion.
› A declaration of faith.
Lifestyle, Religion A promise or vow made on entering a religious order.
- She died only a few years after her profession.
- Rosario was a young novice belonging to the monastery, who in three months intended to make his profession.1796, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Folio Society, published 1985, page 27:
The declaration of belief in the principles of a religion; hence, one's faith or religion.
- I congratulate you upon the wisdom that withheld you from entering yourself a member of the Protestant Association […] it is likely to bring an odium upon the profession they make, that will not soon be forgotten.1780, William Cowper, letter, 12 June
Any declaration of belief, faith or one's opinion, whether genuine or (as now often implied) pretended.
- Despite his continued professions of innocence, the court eventually sentenced him to five years.
- I scarcely know any thing that really interests me, and I would give a great deal not to be so quick-sighted as I am; it would be so pleasant to believe only a tithe of the professions that are made me.1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Presentiment”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 126:
› A professional occupation.
An occupation, trade, craft, or activity in which one has a professed expertise in a particular area; a job, especially one requiring a high level of skill or training.
- My father was a barrister by profession.
- “You are very idle, Cashel; I am sure of that. It is too provoking to throw away so much money every year for nothing. Besides, you must soon be thinking of a profession.” “I shall go into the army,” said Cashel. “It is the only profession for a gentleman.”1886, George Bernard Shaw, Cashel Byron’s Profession. […], London: The Modern Press, […], →OCLC, page 4:
Collective The practitioners of such an occupation collectively.
- His conduct is against the established practices of the legal profession.
- Derived terms
- caring profession, helping profession, learned profession, liberal profession, nonprofession, oldest profession, oldest profession in the world, professional, professionist, professionize, professionless, profession of faith, pseudoprofession, semiprofession, world's oldest profession