Dictionary
professionalism
noun pro·fes·sion·al·ism \prə-ˈfesh-nə-ˌli-zəm, -ˈfe-shə-nə-ˌli-\
: the skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well
Full Definition of PROFESSIONALISM
1
: the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person(see 1professional)
2
: the following of a profession (as athletics) for gain or livelihood
See professionalism defined for English-language learners
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Examples of PROFESSIONALISM
- For writers such as Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson, struggling in the transition from the age of patronage to that of Grub Street professionalism, Shakespeare offered not only a body of poetic invention but also an inspirational career trajectory. —Jonathan Bate, Harper's, April 2007
- In Washington, careerism has so trumped professionalism among political journalists as to render Alterman's ethical concerns almost quaint. —Gene Lyons, Harper's, October 2003
- It is difficult not to contrast the professionalism of modestly paid firefighters and police doing their duty on September 11 with the secretive … behavior of six- and seven-figure accountants, lawyers, CEOs, bankers, and financial analysts who failed at their duty with Enron. —Bruce Nussbaum, Business Week, 28 Jan. 2002
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First Known Use of PROFESSIONALISM
1856
Rhymes with PROFESSIONALISM
abolitionism, academicism, agrarianism, anthropomorphism, anti-Semitism, bicameralism, colloquialism, colonialism, constitutionalism, cosmopolitism, ecumenicism, exceptionalism, exhibitionism, existentialism, fundamentalism, Hegelianism, hermaphroditism, hyperrealism, imperialism, industrialism, instrumentalism, interventionism, irrationalism, isolationism, Malthusianism, Manichaeanism, materialism, millennialism, Monophysitism, multilingualism, neoclassicism, Neoplatonism, neorealism, Nestorianism, Occidentalism, orientalism, parochialism, Pelagianism, phenomenalism, photojournalism, pictorialism, Postimpressionism, pseudoclassicism, reconstructionism, republicanism, Rosicrucianism, sacerdotalism, self-determinism, sadomasochism, sectarianism, sensationalism, sentimentalism, spiritualism, Tractarianism, traditionalism, transcendentalism, ultramontanism, universalism, utopianism, vocationalism
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