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

Josh Blackman, a law professor at South Texas College of Law, said the trend is notable because many cases involve on-camera evidence that should be easily provable in a court of law. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025

The news organizations verified the data, including by soliciting input from professors at universities in Texas. —ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025

Lady Gaga shows up in Season 2, Episode 6, as deceased Nevermore professor Rosaline Rotwood. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Nusbaum, the Saint Mary’s College education professor, said Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training, along with crisis teams in schools, would help maintain the dignity of students and the safety of the teachers. —IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing professor

• assistant professor
• associate professor
• regius professor

Rhymes for professor

• aggressor
• assessor
• compressor
• confessor
• depressor
• hairdresser
• necessar
• oppressor
• possessor
• processor
• repressor
• successor

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