n.
Pronunciation: pr ə - ' fesh-n ə l, - ' fe-sh ə -n ə l
Function: adjective
Date: 1606
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer> b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier> c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return < professional football>
3 : following a line of conduct as though it were a profession <a professional patriot>
– pro · fes · sion · al · ly adverb