ca·reer (kə-rîr')
n.

1. 1. A chosen pursuit; a profession or occupation.
   2. The general course or progression of one's working life or one's professional achievements: an officer with a distinguished career; a teacher in the midst of a long career.
2. A path or course, as of the sun through the heavens.
3. Speed: "My hasting days fly on with full career" (John Milton).

adj.
Doing what one does as a permanent occupation or lifework: career diplomats; a career criminal.

intr.v., -reered, -reer·ing, -reers.
To move or run at full speed; rush. See Usage Note at careen.

[French carrière, from Old French, racecourse, from Old Provençal carriera, street, from Medieval Latin (via) carrāria, (road) for carts, feminine of carrārius, from Latin carrus, a Gallic type of wagon.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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