vocational

adjective

vo·​ca·​tion·​al vō-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with a vocation

2

: of, relating to, or undergoing training in a skill or trade to be pursued as a career

a vocational school

vocational students

vocationally adverb

Examples of vocational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An influx of funding for vocational training in schools helped bolster this workforce. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

The salon is located in Rosie’s recreation area, where vocational programs like culinary lessons and cosmetology take place, as well as high school and college classes. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026

Prisoners who participate in educational or vocational training while incarcerated have a 43 percent lower recidivism rate, according to the RAND Corporation. — Scott Peyton, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

This year, for example, Beijing ordered that unemployed university graduates be offered vocational training. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vocational

• licensed vocational nurse
• vocational school

Rhymes for vocational

• formational
• foundational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• notational
• relational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational
• vibrational

Kids Definition

vocational

adjective

vo·​ca·​tion·​al vō-ˈkā-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with a vocation

2

: of, relating to, or involved in training in a skill or trade to be followed as a career

vocational school

vocationally

-ē

adverb