Professor could be rocking (5)
I believe the answer is:
chair
'professor' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for chair that I've seen before include "What professor has" , "Backed seat for one" , "Something with legs" , "Senior academic post" , "Academic position" .)