avocation

noun

av·​o·​ca·​tion ˌa-və-ˈkā-shən 

1

: a subordinate occupation pursued in addition to one's vocation especially for enjoyment : hobby

He's a professional musician, but his avocation is photography.

He had the restrained manners developed when tennis was the avocation of gentleman jocks …

—Margo Jefferson

2

: customary employment : vocation

'My name is Riah,' said the old man, with courteous action, 'and my avocation is in London city.'

—Charles Dickens

3

archaic : diversion, distraction

Synonyms

• hobby
• pursuit
• sport
• recreation

Examples of avocation in a Sentence

He breeds dogs as an avocation.

My favorite avocation is reading.

Recent Examples on the Web

Retired from her long vocation as a research chemist, Schafer, at 81, remains on the job with her avocations. —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 May 2025

These avocations can take many shapes—traveling, golf, time with family, snowboarding, knitting, hunting, gardening, fishing, church choir, college football, crossword puzzles, theater, cycling, and walking. —Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

What began as an avocation turned into a serious occupation, as Fox Solomon turned to documenting the remnants of segregation visible in Chattanooga and across the South. —Christina Cacouris, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024

Dramatically groaning and moaning about the heat in the summer is my avocation. —Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin avocation-, avocatio, from avocare to call away, from ab- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use

circa 1617, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for avocation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

avocation

noun

av·​o·​ca·​tion ˌav-ə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: customary employment : vocation

2

: an activity one engages in regularly for enjoyment rather than as a job : hobby

avocational

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective