avocation

noun

av·​o·​ca·​tion ˌa-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce avocation (audio)
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

Examples of avocation in a Sentence

He breeds dogs as an avocation. My favorite avocation is reading.
Recent Examples on the Web Today, cooking has become a major generational avocation and source of pride. Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023 Carter’s new avocation as an end-of-life doula is an outgrowth of the more than 15 years the Detroit native has spent doing hospice work in her free time. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 Some grandparents completely suppress their other identities in favor of their role as a grandparent, and while this can be great for the grandkids and their folks – this new avocation will swamp other relationships. Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2023 Some grandparents completely suppress their other identities in favor of their role as a grandparent, and while this can be great for the grandkids and their folks — this new avocation will swamp other relationships. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023 Benjamin Franklin, a printer by vocation, a scientist by avocation, leaned on cleverness, developing measures that are still in use. IEEE Spectrum, 29 July 2023 Although Muller can no longer manage operations outposts, his 21-year gig at Goldman, he’s found a satisfying, though taxing, avocation: recruiting people who worked and lived in the 9/11 danger zone to enroll in the plans that so eased his own misfortune. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 26 July 2023 Though the cover was health, vice was the true draw, no longer just a sport of the idle rich, but an aspirational avocation for ambitious men of the middle class. Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 21 June 2022 His cooking acknowledges both his origins and also his individual avocations and aspirations, all anchored by deliciousness. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'avocation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of avocation was circa 1617

Dictionary Entries Near avocation

Cite this Entry

“Avocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avocation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

avocation

noun
av·​o·​ca·​tion ˌav-ə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce avocation (audio)
1
: customary employment : vocation
2
: an activity one engages in regularly for enjoyment rather than as a job : hobby
avocational
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

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