career

[kuh-reer]

noun

1. an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework.

   He sought a career as a lawyer.

2. a person's progress or general course of action through life or through a phase of life, as in some profession or undertaking.

   His career as a soldier ended with the armistice.

   Synonyms: livelihood, lifework, work, calling, vocation

3. success in a profession, occupation, etc.

4. a course, especially a swift one.

5. speed, especially full speed.

   The horse stumbled in full career.

6. Archaic.,  a charge at full speed.

verb (used without object)

1. to run or move rapidly along; go at full speed.

adjective

1. having or following a career; professional.

   a career diplomat.

career

/ kəˈrɪə /

noun

1. a path or progress through life or history

2. a profession or occupation chosen as one's life's work

3. (modifier) having or following a career as specified

   a career diplomat

4. a course or path, esp a swift or headlong one

verb

1. (intr) to move swiftly along; rush in an uncontrolled way

Word History and Origins

Origin of career¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French carriere, from Old Provençal carriera, literally, “road,” from Late Latin carrāria (via) “vehicular (road),” equivalent to Latin carr(us) “wagon” ( car ¹ ) + -āria (feminine of -ārius -ary )

Word History and Origins

Origin of career¹

C16: from French carrière, from Late Latin carrāria carriage road, from Latin carrus two-wheeled wagon, _car

Idioms and Phrases

see checkered career.

Example Sentences

Batlle y Font also got to experience the big role that Sean played in his daughter's career on the day Smith signed for Sporting, her first move to Europe.

From BBC

After suffering physical issues early in his career, he transformed himself into a complete athlete and rose to the top of the sport thanks to his speed, strength, stamina and flexibility.

From BBC

Hey is British and spent his childhood training with the Royal Air Force before relocating to Santa Barbara after a career in the oil industry.

From Los Angeles Times

Remove the veil of folklore, and the plot isn’t too different from Oliphant’s career as an unrestrained cartoonist, whose satirical illustrations drew the ire of power-hungry politicians and like-minded megalomaniacs all over the world.

From Salon

The uncertainty and difficulties that have followed Sterling's career for 12 months show no sign of relenting.

From BBC

Related Words

• course 
• race