calling
Americannoun
-
a strong inner urge to follow an occupation, etc; vocation
-
an occupation, profession, or trade
Etymology
Origin of calling
Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at call, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Department of Veterans Affairs is calling for bids to build fewer than a third of that number with a delivery date seven months later.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Andy, helm of the inshore lifeboat, said Marley and Dai had done "exactly the right things" by wearing life jackets, staying with the kayak and calling for help.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Trucking executives are calling an end to one of the longest freight downturns in carriers’ memory.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
The NGO is also calling for the introduction of quotas to ensure women's representation in senior management roles.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
The only thing my calling attracted that time was an old hog that nearly scared me to death.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.