calling

noun call·ing \ ˈkȯ-liŋ \

Updated on: 12 May 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

During that meeting, the first lady appeared to indirectly address the elephant in the room: her husband's frequent use of name-calling in his tweets.

— kate bennett, CNN, "Melania Trump unveils her platform, tells kids to 'Be Best'," 7 May 2018
Some of the name-calling was awful, Huebner told me.

— jim stingl, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stingl: West Allis tavern is keeping its controversial Drag Her Out name and caveman signs," 4 May 2018
Yet first on the agenda should be another type of disarmament: Call off the vicious name-calling.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "A first step in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula," 1 May 2018
Others took personal shots at Domenech and did some name-calling of their own.

— yvonne wingett sanchez, ajc, "McCain’s son-in-law: ‘John hugged me tonight. He asked me to take care of Meghan’," 30 Apr. 2018
The tests resulted in the stiff economic sanctions and an alarming exchange of public name-calling between Trump and Kim that sparked fear of war.

— Fox News, "Bolton says Kim must give up nuclear program before any summit with Trump," 29 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, Reagan cut funding for drug-treatment programs from $274 million to $57 million. Owens’ vile, childish name-calling and race-baiting commentary is toxic and misleading.

— rochelle ritchie, The Root, "Candace Owens, Who Thinks Racism Is All in the Past, Got Paid After Suing Over Racist Attacks," 25 Apr. 2018
Kayaking, boating and a bird-calling contest are also planned.

— hanna krueger, NOLA.com, "NOLA Tricentennial Dog Parade cancelled for rain threat: report," 21 Apr. 2018
Physical attacks, death threats, name calling … and so much more on a daily basis.

— OregonLive.com, "Devonte Hart's mother: tracing her life from the Midwest to her drive off the California cliff," 21 Apr. 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

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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

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