Main Entry: oc·cu·pa·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English occupacioun, from Anglo-French occupaciun, from Latin occupation-, occupatio, from occupare

Date: 14th century

1 a : an activity in which one engages <pursuing pleasure has been his major occupation> b : the principal business of one's life : vocation
2 a : the possession, use, or settlement of land : occupancy b : the holding of an office or position
3 a : the act or process of taking possession of a place or area : seizure b : the holding and control of an area by a foreign military force c : the military force occupying a country or the policies carried out by it

synonyms see work

— oc·cu·pa·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— oc·cu·pa·tion·al·ly adverb