profession

Etymology

From Middle English professioun, from Anglo-Norman professioun, Old French profession (“declaration of faith, religious vows, occupation”), from Latin professiō (“avowal, public declaration”), from the participle stem of profitērī (“to profess”).

noun

1. Declaration of faith.
   1. (religion) A promise or vow made on entering a religious order.
      She died only a few years after her profession.
      Rosario was a young novice belonging to the monastery, who in three months intended to make his profession. 1796, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Folio Society, published 1985, page 27
   2. The declaration of belief in the principles of a religion; hence, one's faith or religion.
      I congratulate you upon the wisdom that withheld you from entering yourself a member of the Protestant Association […] it is likely to bring an odium upon the profession they make, that will not soon be forgotten. 1780, William Cowper, letter, 12 June
   3. Any declaration of belief, faith or one's opinion, whether genuine or (as now often implied) pretended.
      Despite his continued professions of innocence, the court eventually sentenced him to five years.
2. Professional occupation.
   1. An occupation, trade, craft, or activity in which one has a professed expertise in a particular area; a job, especially one requiring a high level of skill or training.
      My father was a barrister by profession.
   2. (collective) The practitioners of such an occupation collectively.
      His conduct is against the established practices of the legal profession.