n.
   - a paid occupation, especially one involving training and a formal qualification. ▸
[treated as sing. or pl.]
 a body of people engaged in a profession. 
- an open but typically false claim:![]()  a profession of allegiance. 
- a declaration of belief in a religion. ▸the vows made on entering a religious order. ▸the fact of being professed in a religious order. 
Phrase
  
    
      - the oldest profession
 humorous prostitution.
 
  Etymology
  ME: via OFr. from L. professio(n-), from profiteri (see profess).