professor

noun

pro·​fes·​sor prə-ˈfe-sər 

1

: one that professes, avows, or declares

2

a

: a faculty member of the highest academic rank at an institution of higher education

b

: a teacher at a university, college, or sometimes secondary school

c

: one that teaches or professes special knowledge of an art, sport, or occupation requiring skill

professorship

prə-ˈfe-sər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of professor in a Sentence

Professor Williams will be teaching the class.

Recent Examples on the Web

Remember that about 70% of college instructors are adjunct professors who have few job protections. —Karin Klein, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

One of his professors, who had competed against Elkies in a high school math competition in the 1980s — Elkies won — told him about the new record-breaking curve during office hours. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024

Daniel Drezner is a professor of international politics at Tufts University. —Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024

Cosby began her career as a teacher in an IPS elementary school and is program chair and professor of education at the Ivy Tech Community College campus in Indianapolis. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing professor

• assistant professor
• associate professor
• regius professor

Kids Definition

professor

noun

pro·​fes·​sor prə-ˈfes-ər 

: a teacher especially of the highest rank at a college or university

professorial

ˌprō-fə-ˈsōr-ē-əl 

ˌpräf-ə-

-ˈsȯr-

adjective

professorially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb