calling

noun

call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ 

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

• abandonment
• abortion
• calling off
• cancellation
• cancelation
• dropping
• recall
• recision
• repeal
• rescission
• revocation

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

Some offer only basic calling and texting, while others still have internet access and a few pre-installed apps, such as Google Maps. —Andrew Mambo, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025

Houston’s calling card is scrapping out games that turn ugly. —Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025

Turning the mysteries of the past into wow moments on television has been Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s calling card for well over a decade. —Janeé Bolden, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2025

Republican politicians were quick to pile on after a clip of the quip circulated, with some calling for her to be censured. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing calling

• calling card
• miss one's calling
• name-calling

Rhymes for calling

• balling
• bawling
• brawling
• colling
• crawling
• drawling
• falling
• galling
• hauling
• lolling
• spalling
• sprawling

Kids Definition

calling

noun

call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ 

: occupation sense 1, profession

Medical Definition

calling

noun

call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ 

: the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat

also : the period of heat