vocation

American  

[voh-key-shuhn] / voʊˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a particular occupation, business, or profession; calling.

   Synonyms:

   pursuit, employment

2. a strong impulse or inclination to follow a particular activity or career.

3. a divine call to God's service or to the Christian life.

4. a function or station in life to which one is called by God.

   the religious vocation; the vocation of marriage.

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vocation British  

/ vəʊˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a specified occupation, profession, or trade

2. 1. a special urge, inclination, or predisposition to a particular calling or career, esp a religious one

   2. such a calling or career

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Etymology

Origin of vocation

1400–50; late Middle English vocacio ( u ) n < Latin vocātiōn- (stem of vocātiō ) a call, summons, equivalent to vocāt ( us ) past participle of vocāre to call ( -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

There have been challenges and moments of suffering, as in any vocation, but I remain grateful for the call.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

And business is a real vocation for a lot of people.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

"Fair play to people who enjoy that. But my vocation and my passion - it happens to be my job."

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

It points to the elder Gospodinov’s vocation in old age as well as to the book’s wider theme of regeneration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

The jockey lived hard and lean and tended to die young, trampled under the hooves of horses or imploding from the pressures of his vocation.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand