professor

[prəˈfesər]

professor Definition

• 1. a teacher of the highest rank in a college or university, who has been awarded the title Professor in a particular subject
• 2. a person who is an expert in a particular field and often gives lectures or writes books on their subject

Using professor: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "professor" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  She is a professor of physics at the university.

• Example

  He is a renowned professor of literature.

• Example

  The professor gave a lecture on the history of art.

• Example

  The new professor is an expert in environmental studies.

professor Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for professor

• academic
• scholar
• educator
• instructor
• teacher

Antonyms for professor

• student
• pupil
• novice

Idioms Using professor

• professorial

  relating to or characteristic of a professor, especially in being studious and learned

  Example

  His professorial demeanor and extensive knowledge impressed his students.

• ivory tower

  a state of privileged seclusion or separation from the facts and practicalities of the real world

  Example

  Some people accuse professors of living in an ivory tower and being out of touch with reality.

• publish or perish

  the idea that academics must continually publish research in order to advance their careers

  Example

  The pressure to publish or perish can be overwhelming for young professors.

Phrases with professor

• full professor

  a professor who has achieved the highest rank in their academic career

  Example

  She became a full professor after years of hard work and dedication.

• assistant professor

  a professor who is at the beginning of their academic career and has not yet achieved tenure

  Example

  He was hired as an assistant professor and hopes to become a full professor someday.

• visiting professor

  a professor who is invited to teach at a college or university for a limited period of time

  Example

  The department invited a visiting professor from Europe to give a series of lectures on philosophy.

Origins of professor

from Latin 'professor', meaning 'declarer, person who professes'

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Summary: professor in Brief

A 'professor' [prəˈfesər] is a highly ranked teacher in a college or university, or an expert in a particular field who often gives lectures or writes books. It is a formal term used to describe someone who has achieved the highest level of academic achievement in their field. The term extends into phrases like 'full professor,' 'assistant professor,' and 'visiting professor,' and idioms like 'ivory tower' and 'publish or perish.'