professionalize

[ pruh-fesh-uh-nl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·fes·sion·al·ized, pro·fes·sion·al·iz·ing.

1. to give a professional character or status to; make into or establish as a profession.

verb (used without object)

, pro·fes·sion·al·ized, pro·fes·sion·al·iz·ing.

1. to become professional.

professionalize

/ prəˈfɛʃənəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to impose a professional structure or status on (something)

Derived Forms

• proˌfessionaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• pro·fession·al·ist noun
• pro·fession·al·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of professionalize¹

First recorded in 1855–60; professional + -ize

Example Sentences

Robert Peel — who would go on to become prime minister — he was devoted to professionalizing London’s police force.

From Freakonomics

Troll farms—professionalized groups that work in a coordinated fashion to post provocative content, often propaganda, to social networks—were still building massive audiences by running networks of Facebook pages.

From MIT Technology Review

It may in fact be too late for the NCAA to make changes to control the momentum toward paying student-athletes and professionalizing college sports.

From FiveThirtyEight

When Parker became chief of police in 1950, for example, he extended the LAPD’s insulation from civilian oversight and professionalized the department by raising standards and bolstering the internal disciplinary process.

From Washington Post

When it came to the police, new rounds of charter reform in the 1920s were intended to professionalize the department by removing political influence out of concerns that corrupt police officers enforced the will of politicians.

From Washington Post

The personality of many who engage in the work is too ordinary to professionalize any calling.

From Project Gutenberg