Occupations

These are just a few of the titles that apply to members of the professional working world. The people who perform these jobs are almost always trained in their specific field, after going through a specialized program of study. As you learn this list, you will have the opportunity to see these occupations come alive through our image questions!
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ambassador
    a diplomat of the highest rank
    Chile and Peru said they were recalling their ambassadors to Israel. The Guardian (Jul 30, 2014)
  2. archaeologist
    an anthropologist who studies prehistoric culture
    Archaeologists also found artifacts, including pieces of glass, a pipe stem, ceramic pieces and spikes and nails. Washington Times (Jul 29, 2014)
  3. architect
    someone who creates plans to be used in making something
    The garden, from 1977, is the only work in the city completed by the great British landscape architect Russell Page. New York Times (Jul 30, 2014)
  4. astronaut
    a person trained to travel in a spacecraft
    Forty-five years ago this week, millions of people watched as the astronauts of Apollo 11 became the first men to walk on the moon. BBC (Jul 23, 2014)
  5. astronomer
    a physicist who studies celestial bodies and the universe
    The Milky Way is lighter than astronomers previously thought, researchers have concluded. BBC (Jul 29, 2014)
  6. attorney
    a professional person authorized to practice law
    Defense attorneys argued the contact was nothing more than a medical procedure. Washington Times (Jul 30, 2014)
  7. designer
    someone who creates plans to be used in making something
    Stern highlighted creations from many designers — some of them order-able and some of them simply prototypes — but also included her own work. Forbes (Jul 29, 2014)
  8. geologist
    a specialist in the history of the Earth recorded in rocks
    Geologists have discovered the secret that gives dramatic natural sandstone monuments their shape: gravity. BBC (Jul 21, 2014)
  9. instructor
    a person whose occupation is teaching
    Instructors push the cadets but also ensure they have a fun week. Washington Times (Jul 25, 2014)
  10. magistrate
    a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law
    In 1948, while in law school, he was elected police magistrate in Belleville and began practicing law there the next year. New York Times (Jul 7, 2014)
  11. ophthalmologist
    a doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases of the eye
    Long before he entered politics, Paul attended the Duke University School of Medicine and became an ophthalmologist. Washington Post
  12. optometrist
    a person skilled in testing for defects of vision
    For optometrists, the eyes are a window to your health. US News (Oct 23, 2013)
  13. pediatrician
    a medical specialist in the care of children
    As pediatricians, we’ve shared the joy as families welcome newborns into their lives. Seattle Times (Jul 30, 2014)
  14. physician
    a licensed medical practitioner
    Physicians can play a crucial role teaching people how to avoid becoming infected as well as how to avoid infecting others. Forbes (Jul 28, 2014)
  15. pilot
    someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
    Flights will be operated by Airbus flight crews with pilots from the European Aviation Safety Agency participating. Los Angeles Times (Jul 24, 2014)
  16. professor
    a member of the faculty at a college or university
    “I wouldn’t have jumped into the business had I not gained encouragement from professors.” Forbes (Jul 30, 2014)
  17. referee
    the official in a sport who is expected to ensure fair play
    Referees use the spray to indicate the position of free-kicks and the distance the defensive wall must retreat. BBC (Jul 30, 2014)
  18. scientist
    a person with advanced knowledge of empirical fields
    Scientists have worked out the reasons for the distorted shape of our Moon. BBC (Jul 30, 2014)
  19. secretary
    an assistant who handles correspondence and clerical work
    The secretary has made revitalizing rural America a priority as small towns have lost people and political clout in recent years. Washington Times (Jul 30, 2014)
  20. soldier
    an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
    The soldiers spent hours monitoring his movements on the screen. Washington Post
  21. stenographer
    someone skilled in the transcription of speech
    As the actors marveled at the stenographer, she proceeded to type their every word. Washington Times (Jul 17, 2014)
  22. surgeon
    a physician who specializes in surgery
    A general surgeon reading a medical text performed the life-changing procedure. Los Angeles Times (Jul 28, 2014)
  23. thespian
    a theatrical performer
    Lindquist, the thespian, plays the fire captain, one of the play’s two leads. Seattle Times (Mar 13, 2014)
  24. tutor
    a person who gives private instruction
    Our tutors are predominantly current college students and recent college graduates, and tutors make $20 an hour. Forbes (Jul 29, 2014)
  25. veterinarian
    a doctor who provides health care to animals
    By the mid-20th century, the number of veterinarians in the United States had quintupled, and pets had become their most reliable source of income. Slate (Jul 27, 2014)
Created on Thu Jul 24 18:11:03 EDT 2014 (updated Mon Aug 04 11:58:39 EDT 2014)

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