vocation

noun

vo·​ca·​tion vō-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce vocation (audio)
1
a
: a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action
especially : a divine call to the religious life
b
: an entry into the priesthood or a religious order
2
a
: the work in which a person is employed : occupation
b
: the persons engaged in a particular occupation
3
: the special function of an individual or group

Did you know?

When vocation was first used in English in the 15th century it referred specifically to a summons from God to perform a particular task or function in life, especially a religious one. This meaning is no surprise given the word's source: it comes from Latin vocation-, vocacio, meaning "summons," which in turn comes from vocāre, meaning "to call." Vocation also has a secular position in the English language as a word for the strong desire to do a certain kind of work, or as a word for the work itself, making vocation a synonym of the words calling and occupation.

Examples of vocation in a Sentence

This isn't just a job for me; it's a vocation. people who follow a religious vocation He never felt a real sense of vocation. I'm a carpenter by vocation, but my hobby is painting.
Recent Examples on the Web Yet Baker, an iconoclast by temperament, is a mythologist by vocation. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 However, today's workforce prioritizes purpose and fulfillment in their vocations. David Stubblefield, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 Economy: Explore ways to lower taxes and fees levied by the government, expand educational options for high-demand vocations. Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2024 Although in the past, many saw the food business and farming as a vocation, this is no longer the case. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 9 Oct. 2023 While there’s a common belief that the tech world offers greater flexibility compared to corporate companies and traditional vocations, the percentage shift between in-person and remote roles offering over $200,000 was nearly identical in both technology and non-technology sectors. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2024 But journalism proved not to be her vocation, said The Daily Telegraph. The Week Staff, theweek, 21 Jan. 2024 Eliding this truth, Hemingway remade this story of the entanglement of epidemic and vocation into a simpler and more romantic story of war and love—an easier tale to grasp. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 For David, acting seems to be both vocation and lark, and his gales of laughter blow back the curtain between the two. M.d. Rodrigues, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vocation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vocacioun, from Anglo-French vocaciun, from Latin vocation-, vocatio summons, from vocare to call, from vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocation was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near vocation

Cite this Entry

“Vocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vocation

noun
vo·​ca·​tion vō-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce vocation (audio)
1
: a strong desire or leaning for a certain career or course of action
especially : a divine call to the religious life
2
a
: the work a person regularly does : occupation
b
: the persons in a particular occupation
Etymology

Middle English vocacioun "a strong inclination to a particular course of action or way of life," from early French vocaciun (same meaning), from Latin vocation-, vocatio "summons," derived from vocare "to call" — related to advocate, provoke, revoke

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