calling

noun call·ing \ ˈkȯ-liŋ \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of calling

1 : a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence

2 : the vocation or profession in which one customarily engages

3 : the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat; also : the period of heat

See calling defined for English-language learners

See calling defined for kids

Examples of calling in a Sentence

He had always felt a calling to help others.
He experienced a calling to enter the priesthood.

Recent Examples of calling from the Web

Nor will the ad hominem name-calling that Trump delights in on Twitter impress Putin or Assad.

— trudy rubin, Philly.com, "Trump tweet on missile strike underscores the incoherence of his Syria policy | Trudy Rubin," 11 Apr. 2018
This is no way to do it with this kind of name calling.

— Fox News, "Gowdy and Scott on Mueller probe, new book," 3 Apr. 2018
While overseeing the family lighting business, Liu realized that her side gig, decorating homes, was her calling.

— hillary brown, House Beautiful, "This Designer's Passion for Old and New Inspires Her One-of-a-Kind Projects," 28 Mar. 2018
Bridges instead attended Davidson College and earned a master's degree in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary after deciding music was his calling.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "His church had 15 idle pianos. So he started a music school for poor kids. | Charlotte Observer," 21 Mar. 2018
The president's penchant for online name-calling has led to calls for Twitter to terminate his account and ban him from its service.

— Bloomberg.com, "Melania Trump to Hold First Public Event on Cyberbullying," 20 Mar. 2018
Christine Loeber Christine Loeber graduated from the University of New Hampshire and went into sales, then decided social work was her calling.

— CBS News, "Details emerge about victims of California veteran home shooting," 10 Mar. 2018
For me, teaching has always been my calling, my purpose.

— kaitlin roig-debellis, Glamour, "Sandy Hook Teacher: My Dream Was to Be an Educator, Not a Member of Law Enforcement," 23 Feb. 2018
The Hall of Fame executive, architect of the Bills’ run to four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990s, architect of the Colts’ gilded run in the 2000s, was the first to tell Frank Reich that coaching was his calling.

— zak keefer, Indianapolis Star, "Bill Polian: Colts coach Frank Reich is the QB whisperer Andrew Luck needs," 12 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of calling

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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calling Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of calling

work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living. work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

- her work as a hospital volunteer

employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

- your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

- his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

- the ministry seemed my true calling

pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

- her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

- acting was my one and only métier

business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

- the business of managing a hotel

CALLING Defined for English Language Learners

calling

noun

Definition of calling for English Language Learners

: a strong desire to spend your life doing a certain kind of work (such as religious work)
: the work that a person does or should be doing

CALLING Defined for Kids

calling

noun call·ing \ ˈkȯ-liŋ \

Definition of calling for Students

: a profession especially that a person feels strongly about

Teaching was his true calling.

Medical Dictionary

calling

noun call·ing \ ˈkȯ-liŋ \

medical Definition of calling

: the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat; also : the period of heat

Learn More about calling

See words that rhyme with calling Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for calling Spanish Central: Translation of calling Nglish: Translation of calling for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of calling for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about calling

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calling

Definition of calling

Examples of calling in a Sentence

Recent Examples of calling from the Web

First Known Use of calling

calling Synonyms

Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of calling

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CALLING Defined for English Language Learners

calling

Definition of calling for English Language Learners

CALLING Defined for Kids

calling

Definition of calling for Students

Medical Dictionary

calling

medical Definition of calling

Learn More about calling

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