Showing results for "calling"

• present participle of call.

calling

American  

[kaw-ling] / ˈkɔ lɪŋ /

noun

• callings
  plural

1. the act of a person or thing that calls.

2. vocation, profession, or trade.

   What is your calling?

   Synonyms:

   field, specialty, forte, province, mission

3. a call or summons.

   He had a calling to join the church.

4. a strong impulse or inclination.

   She did it in response to an inner calling.

5. a convocation.

   the calling of Congress.

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calling British  

/ ˈkɔːlɪŋ /

noun

1. a strong inner urge to follow an occupation, etc; vocation

2. an occupation, profession, or trade

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• callings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of calling

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at call, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

calling callings

Chinese leader Xi Jinping last year summoned dozens of leaders from the nation’s top private companies to a rare meeting, calling on them to help China navigate economic difficulties.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

Morocco has also experienced youth-driven social movements, such as the GenZ 212 collective, which last year organised mass protests calling for better health and education services.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

“We worked tirelessly to win this union, spending thousands of hours, calling, texting and meeting our fellow drivers all across the state,” Fresno-based rideshare driver Vikaas Shanker said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026

Following the plea hearing, his family issued a statement calling it "an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family".

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

I know that I had stopped calling for help by then.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Both futures speak to him as true callings, both as worthy directions for his soul’s devotion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

He is generous with details and evocative descriptions of his many callings.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 24, 2023

Working long hours in my callings was part of the appeal.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 30, 2022

Some aboard the tractor-trailer were from rural zones and had little opportunity to consider professional callings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2022

“No. We don’t get callings because we live so far. How about you? Do you play in the praise band at your new church?”

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner