# profession

/pɹəˈfɛʃən/ (US) · /pɹəfˈɛʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/profession
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. specialized job

noun · CEFR B1

a type of job that requires special training and a high level of education, like being a doctor or a lawyer.

For teachers: an occupation requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation.

- She chose the teaching profession because she wanted to help children learn.
- The legal profession demands not only a deep understanding of statutes but also a commitment to ethical practice and client confidentiality.

Usage: Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the group of people in that job.

### 2. statement of belief

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a public statement where you say what you believe or feel.

For teachers: an open act of declaring or acknowledging a belief, faith, or opinion.

- The monk made a profession of his faith during the ceremony.
- His public profession of loyalty to the new regime was met with skepticism by those who knew his previous political leanings.

Teaching tip: This sense is much less common than the 'job' sense and is usually found in religious or very formal contexts.

## Examples

- She chose the teaching profession because she loves helping children.
- Entering the legal profession requires years of dedicated study and passing a rigorous bar examination.
- The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is forcing every established profession to reconsider its traditional workflows and the unique value of human expertise.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.