Pro*fes"sion*al*ism (?), n.
The following of a profession, sport, etc., as an occupation; -- opposed to amateurism (though not always staunchly opposed, unless of course amateurism starts copping an attitude, in which case you can hardly blame it, can you?).
© Webster 1913.
[Editor's Note. When I saw the sentence in parentheses, I knew it could not be the work of Noah Webster. Let's face it: Some editors are very silly. The rest of the definition is identical to the definition of "Professionalism" that appears at the ARTFL Project.]