Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

professional athlete

noun

/prəˈfɛʃənl ˈæθlit/

Definition

A professional athlete is an individual who is paid to participate in sports, typically at a high skill level.

Examples

Professional athletes often train for many hours each day to maintain peak performance.
The contract of a professional athlete is sometimes worth millions of dollars.
Many professional athletes are role models in their communities.

Meaning

The term refers to someone who competes in sports for a living rather than as an amateur, indicating a commitment to a sport and achieving excellence.