apprenticeship

noun

ap·​pren·​tice·​ship ə-ˈpren-tə(sh)-ˌship 

ə-ˈpren-təs-ˌship

1

: a position as an apprentice : an arrangement in which someone learns an art, trade, or job under another

He obtained an apprenticeship with a carpenter.

Later that year, he decided to become a barrister—a career that requires acceptance into an apprenticeship …

—Sidney Blumenthal

2

: the period of time when a person is an apprentice

During most of his apprenticeship he lived in Paris …

—Robert Penn Warren

a two-year apprenticeship

Synonyms

• externship
• internship
• practicum
• training

Examples of apprenticeship in a Sentence

only after long apprenticeship as a camera operator was he appointed director of photography on a major motion picture

Recent Examples on the Web

Because unlike grants, starting an apprenticeship program is not a one-time expense. —Ryan Craig, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

In 1715, Franklin’s money-conscious father removed his young son from the Boston grammar school that might have led to a college education and sent him to learn writing and arithmetic in preparation for a printing apprenticeship. —James Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024

There are also calls for more support for government subsidies for apprenticeships. —Jon Marcus, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024

Luca sees his alliances tested, however, upon taking an apprenticeship with the city’s Philosopher. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

apprenticeship

noun

ap·​pren·​tice·​ship

ə-ˈprent-əs-ˌship

1

: service as an apprentice

2

: the period during which a person serves as an apprentice