professionalize

verb

pro·​fes·​sion·​al·​ize prə-ˈfesh-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce professionalize (audio)
-ˈfe-shə-nə-ˌlīz
professionalized; professionalizing

transitive verb

: to give a professional character to
professionalization
prə-ˌfesh-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce professionalize (audio)
-ˌfe-shə-nə-lə-
noun

Examples of professionalize in a Sentence

The country is professionalizing the military.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Schmidt professionalized Google’s operations on the way to its IPO while continuing to support bold bets. George Bradt, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 Around this time, Green brought in a corporate board and a C.E.O. to professionalize the school and send the franchising program, which had spread to include locations in the Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey, and Manhattan, into overdrive. Air Mail, 3 May 2025 In an attempt to professionalize the bureaucracy, Deng and his successors tried, with varying degrees of success, to insulate the administration from CCP interference. Cai Xia, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022 Angel investors like Bob Iger and Serena Williams are reshaping cultural narratives as much as balance sheets, and firms such as Atwater Capital are professionalizing the space—transforming leagues like League One Volleyball into premium, monetizable media platforms. Priya Oberoi, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for professionalize

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of professionalize was in 1856

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Professionalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professionalize. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

professionalize

verb
pro·​fes·​sion·​al·​ize prə-ˈfesh-nəl-ˌīz How to pronounce professionalize (audio)
-ən-ᵊl-
professionalized; professionalizing
: to give a professional nature to
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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