Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - profession

 noun  Etymology: Middle English professioun, from Anglo-French ~, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin ~-, professio, from Latin, public declaration, from profiteri  Date: 13th century  1. the act of taking the vows of a religious community  2. an act of openly declaring or publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion ; protestation  3. an avowed religious faith  4.  a. a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation  b. a principal calling, vocation, or employment  c. the whole body of persons engaged in a calling