Meaning

• The outermost shape, view, or edge of an object.

  "His fingers traced the profile of the handle."

• The shape, view, or shadow of a person's head from the side; a side view.

  "The brooch showed the profile of a Victorian woman."

• A summary or collection of information, especially about a person

  "Law enforcement assembled a profile of the suspect."

• A specific space or field in which users can provide various types of personal information in software or Internet systems.

  "I just updated my Facebook profile to show I got engaged."

• Reputation.

• The amount by which something protrudes.

  "Choose a handle with a low profile so it does not catch on things."

• Prominence; noticeability.

  "Acting is, by nature, profession in which one must keep a high profile."

• A smoothed (e.g., troweled or brushed) vertical surface of an excavation showing evidence of at least one feature or diagnostic specimen; the graphic recording of such as by sketching, photographing, etc.

• Character; totality of related characteristics; signature; status (especially in scientific, technical, or military uses).

  "What's the thermal profile on that thing?"

• A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of mouldings etc.

• A drawing exhibiting a vertical section of the ground along a surveyed line, or graded work, as of a railway, showing elevations, depressions, grades, etc.

• An exemption from certain types of duties due to injury or disability.

Meaning

• To create a summary or collection of information about (a person, etc.).

• To act based on such a summary, especially one that is a stereotype; to engage in profiling.

• To draw in profile or outline.

• To give a definite form by chiselling, milling, etc.

• To measure the performance of various parts of (a program) so as to locate bottlenecks.