apprenticeship

noun

ap·​pren·​tice·​ship ə-ˈpren-tə(sh)-ˌship How to pronounce apprenticeship (audio)
ə-ˈpren-təs-ˌship
Synonyms of apprenticeship
1
: a position as an apprentice : an arrangement in which someone learns an art, trade, or job under another
He obtained an apprenticeship with a carpenter.
Later that year, he decided to become a barrister—a career that requires acceptance into an apprenticeship …—Sidney Blumenthal
2
: the period of time when a person is an apprentice
During most of his apprenticeship he lived in Paris …—Robert Penn Warren
a two-year apprenticeship

Examples of apprenticeship in a Sentence

only after long apprenticeship as a camera operator was he appointed director of photography on a major motion picture
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Post previously reported that Braun’s company, which manufactures emergency vehicles for government agencies, received three state citations for child labor violations in 2025 involving two teenagers hired through an apprenticeship program. — Myla S. Roundy, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 Bamboo slips from Shuihudi count the work of young slaves as units of production, and slips held by the Yuelu Academy describe apprenticeships in state workshops. — News Desk, Artforum, 21 Oct. 2026 The shortage is serious enough that Meta, Google and BlackRock are now funding trade apprenticeship programs. — Shiva Dhawan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Community colleges in regional semiconductor hubs are now offering apprenticeships, certificates, and other training to enable people to update their skills or pivot to new career paths in the industry. — Katherine Bourzac, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apprenticeship

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apprenticeship was in 1592

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Cite this Entry

“Apprenticeship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprenticeship. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

apprenticeship

noun
ap·​pren·​tice·​ship
ə-ˈprent-əs-ˌship
1
: service as an apprentice
2
: the period during which a person serves as an apprentice
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