What does professor mean?

Definitions for professor
prəˈfɛs ərpro·fes·sor

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word professor.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. professor, profnoun

    someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

Wiktionary

  1. professornoun

    A teacher or faculty member at a college or university.

  2. professornoun

    A higher ranking for a teacher or faculty member at a college or university. Abbreviated Prof.

  3. professornoun

    An honorific title for a higher ranking teacher. (Capitalised)

    Professor Plum or Prof. Plum.

  4. professornoun

    One who professes.

  5. professornoun

    A pianist in a saloon, brothel, etc.

  6. Etymology: From proffessur, from professor, from the past participle stem of profiteor.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Professornoun

    Etymology: professeur, Fr. from profess.

    When the holiness of the professors of religion is decayed you may doubt the springing up of a new sect. Francis Bacon, Essays.

    Professors in most sciences, are generally the worst qualified to explain their meanings to those who are not of their tribes. Jonathan Swift.

    Ordinary illiterate people, who were professors, that shewed a concern for religion, seemed much conversant in St. Paul’s Epistles. John Locke.

ChatGPT

  1. professor

    A professor is an educator of the highest academic rank in a college or university, who typically specializes in a particular field of study and teaches, conducts research, and publishes scholarly works. They are also typically involved in various academic activities such as creating lesson plans, developing and grading exams, mentoring students, and participating in faculty meetings and committees. The specific requirements for this position may vary depending on the institution and country.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Professornoun

    one who professed, or makes open declaration of, his sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church

  2. Professornoun

    one who professed, or publicly teaches, any science or branch of learning; especially, an officer in a university, college, or other seminary, whose business it is to read lectures, or instruct students, in a particular branch of learning; as a professor of theology, of botany, of mathematics, or of political economy

  3. Etymology: [L., a teacher, a public teacher: cf. F. professeur. See Profess.]

Wikidata

  1. Professor

    A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences, a teacher of high rank. In much of the world, including most Commonwealth nations and northern Europe professor is reserved only for the most senior academics at a university, typically a department chair, or an awarded chair specifically bestowed recognizing an individual at a university or similar institution. A professor is a highly accomplished and recognized academic, and the title is in most cases awarded only after decades of scholarly work to senior academics. In the United States and Canada the title of professor is granted to most scholars with doctorate degrees or equivalent qualifications who teach in two- and four-year colleges and universities, and is used in the titles assistant professor and associate professor, which are not considered professor-level positions elsewhere, as well as for full professors. In countries on the northern European mainland, such as the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries, usage of professor as a legal title is limited much the same way as in most Commonwealth countries, that is, it is reserved for someone who holds a chair. In the United States, "professor" as a proper noun generally implies a person with a Ph.D. who holds a permanent position at the college or university level, regardless of rank.

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'professor' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2017

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'professor' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2566

  3. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'professor' in Nouns Frequency: #856

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of professor in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of professor in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of professor in a Sentence

  1. Ryan Ueberrhein:

    Democrats have voiced concern about the new agreements labor and environmental provisions, but Iowa State University Professor Chad Hart cautions that if the bill doesnt pass, it could haveeffects beyond American soil. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Were sort of holding the rest of the world up, he said. Our economic expansion is helping the global economy try to chug through. If we go into a recession, the rest of the world tends to follow. As for Ryan Ueberrhein, hes banking on todays struggles for later success. It probably will happen sometime again in my lifetime.

  2. The Department of Immigration:

    The Department also recognizes that (Save the Children Australia) has suffered detriment for which – to adopt the words of Professor Doogan – the payment of money cannot be adequate compensation.

  3. Sergio Mattarella:

    Five Star leader Luigi Di Maio and League leader Matteo Salvini agreed that neither would be prime minister, and announced this week that they would present law professor Giuseppe Conte for approval by President Sergio Mattarella. Conte’s appointment looked in doubt, not only because of Giuseppe Conte dearth of political experience( Giuseppe Conte has never held political office), but also after The New York Times reported that Giuseppe Conte may have exaggerated Giuseppe Conte credentials, particularly Giuseppe Conte studies at New York University -- which said The New York Times had no record of Giuseppe Conte having studied there. But after a meeting with Mattarella on Wednesday, Giuseppe Conte got the nod to attempt to form a government, and promised one of change as President Sergio Mattarella emerged from the meeting at the Quirinal Palace in Rome and struck a populist tone. What is about to be born... will be the government of change, on behalf of citizens, that protects their interests, i propose to be the defense lawyer of the Italian people.

  4. Georgetown Law Dean Bill Treanor:

    As I wrote to you last night, I am appalled that two members of Treanorannounced Sellers ' faculty engaged in a conversation that included reprehensible statements concerning the evaluation of Black students, i have further reviewed the incident and have now spoken to Professor Sellers and Professor Batson, giving each the opportunity to provide any additional context.

  5. John Kennedy:

    I’m not asking your opinion as a judge, i’m asking your opinion as a person, as a law professor. I’ll stipulate, with all of you, that you’re all going to be fair and unbiased. Now, do you think misbehavior and illegal acts should be forgiven in the name of social justice?

Popularity rank by frequency of use

professor#1#2001#10000

Translations for professor

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"professor." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 19 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/professor>.

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