■ noun
1》 a paid occupation, especially one involving training and a formal qualification.
↘[treated as sing. or plural ] a body of people engaged in a ~.
2》 an open but typically false claim: a ~ of allegiance.
3》 a declaration of belief in a religion.
↘the vows made on entering a religious order.
↘the fact of being professed in a religious order.
Phrases
the oldest ~ humorous prostitution.
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. professio(n-) , from profiteri (see profess ).