Definition of career noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

career

noun

kəˈrɪə(r)

kəˈrɪr

1 the series of jobs that a person has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passesa career in politicsa teaching careerWhat made you decide on a career as a vet?She has been concentrating on her career.a change of careerThat will be a good career move (= something that will help your career).a career soldier/diplomat (= a professional one) (British English) a careers adviser/officer (= a person whose job is to give people advice and information about jobs)

2 the period of time that you spend in your life working or doing a particular thingShe started her career as an English teacher.He is playing the best tennis of his career.My school career was not very impressive.

Usage note: JobsGetting a joblook for worklook for/apply for/go for a jobget/pick up/complete/fill out/(British English) fill in an application (form)send/email your (British English) CV/(North American English) résumé/application/application form/covering letterbe called for/have/attend an interviewoffer somebody a job/work/employment/promotionfind/get/land a jobemploy/(especially North American English) hire/recruit/(especially British English) take on staff/workers/traineesrecruit/appoint a managerDoing a jobarrive at/get to/leave work/the office/the factorystart/finish work/your shiftdo/put in/work overtimehave/gain/get/lack/need experience/qualificationsdo/get/have/receive traininglearn/pick up/improve/develop (your) skillscope with/manage/share/spread the workloadimprove your/achieve a better work-life balancehave (no) job satisfaction/job securityBuilding a careerhave a job/work/a career/a vocationfind/follow/pursue/(especially North American English) live (out) your vocationenter/go into/join a professionchoose/embark on/start/begin/pursue a careerchange jobs/profession/careerbe/(both especially British English) work/go freelancedo/take on temp work/freelance workdo/be engaged in/be involved in voluntary workLeaving your jobleave/(especially North American English) quit/resign from your jobgive up work/your job/your careerhand in your notice/resignationplan to/be due to retire in June/next year, etc.take early retirement

Usage note: workemployment career profession occupation tradeThese are all words for the work that somebody does in return for payment, especially over a long period of time.work the job that somebody does, especially in order to earn money: It's very difficult to find work at the moment.employment (rather formal) work, especially when it is done to earn money; the state of being employed or the situation in which people have work: Only half the people here are in paid employment.career the job or series of jobs that somebody has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes: He had a very distinguished career in the Foreign Office.profession a type of job that needs special training or skill, especially one that needs a high level of education: He hopes to enter the medical profession. The profession is all the people who work in a particular profession: the legal profession. The professions are the traditional jobs that need a high level of education and training, such as being a doctor or lawyer.occupation (rather formal) a job or profession: Please state your name, age, and occupation.trade a job, especially one that involves working with your hands and requires special training and skills: Carpentry is a highly skilled trade.in/out of work/employment(a) full-time/part-time work/employment/career/occupationpermanent/temporary work/employment(a) well-paid work/employment/profession/occupation(a) low-paid work/employment/occupationto look for/seek/find work/employment/a career/an occupationto get/obtain/give somebody/offer somebody/create/generate/provide work/employment