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REFERENCE

professor

n.
US //pɹəˈfɛsɝ// UK //pɹəfˈɛsɐ// pro·fes·sor
  1. 1 senior academic rank (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the highest rank for a teacher at a university.

    the most senior academic rank within a university department or faculty.

    Example

    After twenty years of research, she was finally promoted to professor of history.

    Example

    The university appointed a new professor to lead the physics department, citing his extensive contributions to quantum mechanics research.

    Usage

    Often used as a title before a surname, such as Professor Smith.
  2. 2 any college teacher (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English Informal

    a general word for any teacher at a college or university, even if they are not senior.

    a general term for any member of the teaching faculty at a post-secondary institution, regardless of specific rank.

    Example

    I need to email my biology professor to ask about the homework.

    Example

    In many American colleges, students address all their instructors as professor as a sign of respect, even those who do not hold a doctorate.

    Teacher's tip

    In British English, this is much more specific and only refers to the highest rank; using it for every lecturer sounds incorrect in the UK.
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  1. 3 mocking title (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Humorous

    a name used to tease someone who acts like they know everything about a topic.

    a mock or derogatory title applied to an individual perceived as pedantic, overly academic, or obsessive regarding a particular subject.

    Example

    Okay, Professor, we get it—you know everything about coffee beans.

    Example

    His friends started calling him 'the professor' after he spent three hours explaining the technical differences between various vintage camera lenses.
    • know it all
    • egghead
  2. 4 puppeteer (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Theatre

    the person who performs a traditional Punch and Judy puppet show.

    the traditional title for a puppeteer who performs a Punch and Judy show.

    Example

    The children gathered around the booth to watch the professor start the puppet show.

    Example

    The art of the Punch and Judy professor requires not only physical coordination but also the mastery of a 'swazzle' to produce the character's distinctive voice.
Origin

From Middle English professor, professour, from Anglo-Norman proffessur and its etymon Latin professor (“declarer, person who claims knowledge”), from the past participle stem of profiteor (“profess”). By surface analysis, profess + -or.

Word family

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