/ kəˈrɪə(r); NAmE kəˈrɪr/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
the series of jobs that a person has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes :
a career in politics
a teaching career
What made you decide on a career as a vet?
She has been concentrating on her career.
a change of career
That will be a good career move (= something that will help your career).
a career soldier / diplomat , etc. (= a professional one)
( BrE )
a careers adviser / officer (= a person whose job is to give people advice and information about jobs)
➡ note at work
2.
the period of time that you spend in your life working or doing a particular thing :
She started her career as an English teacher.
He is playing the best tennis of his career.
My school career was not very impressive.
■ verb
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( of a person or vehicle ) to move forward very quickly, especially in an uncontrolled way
SYN hurtle :
The vehicle careered across the road and hit a cyclist.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (denoting a road or racecourse): from French carrière , from Italian carriera , based on Latin carrus wheeled vehicle.