1. (noun) The status of permanent employment in a university or other academic setting--often used in reference to professors.
2. (noun) The right to remain employed until retirement.
Significance of Tenure
It is important for students entering college to understand how tenure might affect their learning experience. The goal of many college professors is to earn tenure, so they work hard, sometimes for many years, to achieve tenured status. They become experts in their fields by researching and publishing their findings.
Many professors consider themselves to be researching professionals first and teachers second. In fact, while many professors are talented and caring teachers, few PhDs ever take classes that focus on how to teach.
It can be helpful for college students to view professors as people who share their expertise. Their role is very different from high school teachers. They share their knowledge by lecturing, and assess their audience by testing and giving grades.
TEN - yer
The history professor was granted tenure early last week.
Dr. Robinson was disappointed to learn that she would not receive tenure.
