vocation
Americannoun
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a particular occupation, business, or profession; calling.
- Synonyms:
- pursuit, employment
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a strong impulse or inclination to follow a particular activity or career.
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a divine call to God's service or to the Christian life.
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a function or station in life to which one is called by God.
the religious vocation; the vocation of marriage.
noun
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a specified occupation, profession, or trade
-
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a special urge, inclination, or predisposition to a particular calling or career, esp a religious one
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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 ( see -ate 1) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Unless you can find someone to pay you to sip fancy tropical drinks on the beach, your vocation is not likely to be a vacation. Rather, the word means something you know how to do––or what you do for a living. The word vocation derives from the Latin vocare "to call." To become a priest, you need to feel that you have been "called" to the ministry directly by God. Their job is their calling, or vocation. An avocation is something you do because you love it. Everyone should make it their goal to have their avocation become their vocation.
Vocabulary lists containing vocation
Can I Work It? Words for "Job"
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Latin Love, Vol I: vocare
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Anthem
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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.
For Crouse, the musical is about many things: music itself, of course, but also vocation, integrity and faith: “There was a lot for them to get their teeth into in terms of a story.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026
Instead, the danger seems to be in hospitals, where people are suffering or dying, surrounded by doctors who could help them but are afraid that doing so will risk their freedom or vocation.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
And though the high gloss may be an act given Gaston’s actual vocation, Marshall plays the part as if the crook himself believes the masquerade.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
"I'm lucky I have a partner that has helped me battle these demons, but I never thought a vocation - something I love - would push me to this."
From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026
Looking at God’s wondrous handiwork was a worthwhile avocation, and in some cases, vocation.
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
