occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to a job or occupation

occupational choices

occupational training/skills

occupational safety

Physiatrists commonly treat back and neck pain and other musculoskeletal problems, including sports injuries and occupational problems like repetitive stress injury.

—C. Claiborne Ray

2

: relating to or engaged in the military occupation of a country

served as part of an occupational force

occupational troops

occupationally adverb

Examples of occupational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Early detection matters because therapies, school accommodations, and interventions -- often involving speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and developmental pediatricians -- are most effective when started early in life, Lord explained. —Dr. Christian S. Monsalve, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2025

Under current state law, these drivers are not able to participate in certain benefits that traditional full-time employees have, such as retirement accounts, health insurance and occupational accident insurance. —Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 8 Aug. 2025

By Sarah Bence, OTR/L Bence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. —Jane Kim, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025

Terrell is currently attending the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan for speech, occupational and physical therapies. —Brian Brant, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

occupation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing occupational

• occupational hazard
• occupational therapy

Rhymes for occupational

• aspirational
• avocational
• calculational
• combinational
• computational
• conformational
• confrontational
• congregational
• conversational
• correlational
• deformational
• derivational

Kids Definition

occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al

ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shnəl,

-shən-ᵊl

: of or relating to one's occupation

a report on occupational health and safety

occupationally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

: relating to or being an occupational disease

occupational asthma

occupationally

-ē 

adverb