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
• hobbyhorse
• pursuit
• recreation

Example Sentences

He breeds dogs as an avocation.

My favorite avocation is reading.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pursue a favorite project or avocation. —BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2020

Junior also has a second avocation. —Tom Nolan, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022

The avocation is not for everyone. —New York Times, 30 Mar. 2021

Now Mitchell-Delmotte, 39, a singer/songwriter by avocation, is giving back in an unusual way — by releasing an album. —Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2023

Gambling, that quintessential American avocation that has pulled itself above its once seedy reputation and which continues to enjoy its niche as entertainment, is starting legally. —Marc Bona, cleveland, 1 Jan. 2023

What had been an avocation to while away the hours became a lifeline. —James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Jan. 2023

While continuing to promote educational programs throughout his life, Pelé also pursued his musical avocation. —Lawrie Mifflin, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2022

John Freeman, one of the engineers of the new reservoir system, used to say that engineering was his avocation, insurance his vocation. —Robert Sullivan, The New Republic, 10 Nov. 2022

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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

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