career

American  

[kuh-reer] / kəˈrɪər /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

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

career Idioms  

1. see checkered career.

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Etymology

Origin of career

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 )

Example Sentences

Luka Doncic finishes with 42 points and becomes the third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 15,000 career points in the Lakers’ 127-113 win over Cleveland.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

While Chisora has exceeded all expectations during his 19-year career, the punishment he has absorbed across 346 rounds is difficult to ignore.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

At the time I was working as a hairstylist, a career I’d fallen into after dropping out of college in my early 20s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

So, yes, her career continued, but it hasn’t been 100% smooth.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

It could be that this penury was the catalyst for Bobby’s often-criticized “greediness” later in his career.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• course
• race