Profession
/prəˈfɛʃən/
Definitions
3 meaningsA paid job, especially one requiring advanced education and skills.
/prəˈfɛʃən/
A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.
He decided to pursue a career in the medical profession.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're really good at something, like fixing cars or writing stories. A profession is when you get paid to do that thing, and you might even need to go to school for it!
👶 For kids: A job that you go to school for, like being a doctor or a teacher.
More Examples
Many people aspire to enter the legal profession.
Teaching is a noble profession.
How It's Used
"She chose teaching as her profession."
"Law and medicine are often considered professions."
The collective members of a specific occupation or field.
/prəˈfɛʃən/
The body of people engaged in a particular occupation.
The legal profession has strict ethical guidelines.
💡 Simply: It's like thinking about all the people who are doctors, or all the people who are lawyers. This word refers to the whole group of them!
👶 For kids: A whole bunch of people who all do the same job, like all the doctors together.
More Examples
The teaching profession faces many challenges.
The medical profession is on the front lines of health crises.
How It's Used
"The medical profession is constantly evolving."
A public declaration or assertion, especially of belief or faith.
/prəˈfɛʃən/
A declaration or avowal.
She made a profession of her innocence.
💡 Simply: This is when you strongly tell everyone about something you believe or something you want to follow. It's a big statement!
👶 For kids: When you tell everyone something you really, really believe.
More Examples
The religious order required a profession of vows.
His profession of love was heartfelt.
How It's Used
"He made a profession of faith."
Synonyms
Calling
Career
Occupation
Body
Cohort
Community
Guild
Assertion
Declaration
Idioms & expressions
the professions
The learned professions, especially law, medicine, and the clergy.
"Graduates often seek to join the professions."
From Middle English profescioun, from Old French profession, from Latin professio ('a public declaration'), from profiteri ('to declare publicly').
Historically, 'profession' was often used in religious contexts to refer to a declaration of faith or vows taken by a religious order.
Memory tip
Think of a 'pro' at doing something – a professional. A profession is what they 'pro' at.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: profiteri