calling

1 of 2

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

calling

2 of 2

present participle of call entry 1

Synonyms of calling

Noun

• cancellation
• repeal
• abandonment
• abolition

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

Noun

He had always felt a calling to help others.

He experienced a calling to enter the priesthood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In this second stint with the Knights, Frost has embraced a more collaborative approach to play-calling by sharing responsibilities with offensive coordinator Steve Cooper. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026

Honoring the history of punk has become something of a calling for Rollins. — Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2026

Then the Dolphins took a page out Dan Campbell's book of aggressive play-calling, executing a fake punt that gave Miami the ball at Detroit's 18, setting up a 34-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez. — ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026

Only when the Prohibition hit did these side tables on wheels find their true calling. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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