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

Reading Ferrer, I found myself calling him to ask questions I thought I already knew the answers to.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Congregants, calling themselves walking worshipers, strolled through the streets surrounding the shuttered church as they followed along with the sermon.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

No expense was spared on the design of the home, which was originally built in 2005, with the listing calling special attention to the high-end materials used throughout.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

One spot placed a rainbow Star of David behind Singer, calling him a "major pro-gay, pro-trans activist".

From BBC • May 18, 2026

It’s our father, likely calling to see how our mystery shopping trip to the nonexistent Somewhere Mall went.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller