calling

American  

[kaw-ling] / ˈkɔ lɪŋ /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of calling

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

Example Sentences

So far, Fed officials have shied away from calling for interest-rate hikes.

From MarketWatch • May 30, 2026

White House aide Stephen Miller, meanwhile, is straightforwardly calling him “transgender.”

From Slate • May 30, 2026

Some Koreans reacted more positively, with one calling Korea's inclusion in one of gaming's biggest franchises a "symbolic moment".

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Some are calling the controversy over Olivia Rodrigo’s recent outfit choices babydoll-dress-gate, Olivia Rodrigo calls it “weird.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Whippoorwills were calling, and night hawks were crying as they dipped and darted through the starlit sky.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls