professor

pro-fes-sor · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A senior academic holding the highest rank at a university or college.

  2. 2.

    (US) A teacher at a university or college.

Forms

plural: professors

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    associate professor — A mid-rank academic position.
  • •
    assistant professor — An entry-level professorship.
  • •
    full professor — The highest professorial rank.
  • •
    visiting professor — A professor from another institution.
  • •
    emeritus professor — A retired professor who retains their title.

Related words

See also: academic, lecturer, teacher, university
Synonyms: academic, lecturer, scholar

Etymology

From Latin professor ("a person who claims to be an expert"), from profiteri ("to declare publicly"), from pro ("forth") + fateri ("to acknowledge, confess").