What does "tenor" mean? Am I spelling that right?... I mean for a college professor?

I think you mean 'tenure'. Tenure is the highest level a professor can reach, and it basically means they have a guaranteed job at that school for the rest of their career unless they really screw something up. Full-time faculty positions are advertised as 'tenure-track' if the professor can apply for tenure within 5-10 years of starting a job there. To get tenure, they must publish research, usually advise research students, serve on committees, bring in grant money, and teach cles.