calling

noun

call·ing | \ ˈkȯ-liŋ

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

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about calling

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

Is coming up with imaginative recipes your calling? — Megan Stein, Country Living, "Hallmark Is Casting for Their Baking Competition Show 'Christmas Cookie Countdown'," 30 June 2019 Brown found his calling as a member of the rescue team, the special outfit of Covington firefighters which assists in perilous situations, Pierce said in the release. — Julia Fair, Cincinnati.com, "Retired Covington firefighter dies from melanoma cancer," 25 June 2019 The writer studied environmental science, worked as a general assignment reporter, became a sports journalist, and finally found his true calling when researching great athletes for his 2013 book The Sports Gene. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "To thrive in a “wicked” world, you need range," 9 June 2019 Serving as Greinke’s sabermetric spirit guide helped Bannister embrace his calling as a conduit. — Ben Lindbergh And Travis Sawchik, SI.com, "How MLB Washout Brian Bannister Became the Red Sox' Pitching Guru," 7 June 2019 In both her prior capacity as a publicist and her present calling as a feature filmmaker, DuVernay has been a tireless champion of inclusiveness, as both a force for good in the movie industry and a necessary agent of historical change. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "Ava DuVernay puts a fantastically trippy spin on the messy, moving 'A Wrinkle in Time'," 7 Mar. 2018 One of Hemon’s calling cards is formal experimentation. — Julia M. Klein, chicagotribune.com, "Aleksandar Hemon returns with a memoir, divided," 12 June 2019 Location, location, location seems to be the calling card for Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello. — Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, "Starry Crowd Gathers in Malibu for Saint Laurent's Mick Jagger-Inspired Men's Show," 7 June 2019 Feces are unique calling cards, packed with information about an animal’s identity, stress level, diet and reproductive cycle. — Sandi Doughton, The Seattle Times, "Sam Wasser pours his intense passion for protecting wildlife into research and catching poachers," 21 May 2019

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.