calling

American

[kaw-ling] / ˈkɔ lɪŋ /

noun

the act of a person or thing that calls.
vocation, profession, or trade.

What is your calling?

Synonyms:

field, specialty, forte, province, mission
a call or summons.

He had a calling to join the church.
a strong impulse or inclination.

She did it in response to an inner calling.
a convocation.

the calling of Congress.

calling British

/ ˈkɔːlɪŋ /

noun

a strong inner urge to follow an occupation, etc; vocation
an occupation, profession, or trade

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

“Roy loved to have things bouncing at you from all different directions. Each part was a hook, with things calling and answering each other.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

He also urged the Premier League to speed up its handling of the case, calling for a verdict "this afternoon" or "tomorrow".

From BBC • May 19, 2026

"Our customers are calling for a revival of small, stylish vehicles, proudly produced in Europe, which are also affordable and environmentally friendly," chief executive Antonio Filosa said in a statement.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

“It will wind you up,” he added, calling the product a “powerful work-enhancer.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

They would have made a federal case out of it, getting upset, calling the cops .

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023