occupation

noun

oc·cu·pa·tion | \ ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən

Definition of occupation

1a : an activity in which one engages Pursuing pleasure has been his major occupation.

b : the principal business of one's life : vocation Teaching was her occupation.

2a : the possession, use, or settlement of land : occupancy the last of the historic private houses in the metropolis … still in the occupation of its hereditary owner — Sidney (Australia) Bull.

b : the holding of an office or position it is only … the occupation … of two offices at the same time that offends public policy— W. D. Miller

3a : the act or process of taking possession of a place or area : seizure Spain's occupation of the island

b : the holding and control of an area by a foreign military force the Roman occupation of Britain

c : the military force occupying a country or the policies carried out by it The occupation addressed the concerns of the local population.

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about occupation

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Choose the Right Synonym for occupation

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 occupation in a Sentence

He is thinking about changing occupations and becoming a police officer. “What's your occupation?” “I'm a stay-at-home mom.” Swimming was their main occupation at summer camp. Some evidence of human occupation was found in these caves. The offices are ready for occupation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Captive State answers the question by setting up a world already a decade deep into its otherworldly occupation. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "The 2019 Sci-Fi Film Guide," 3 Jan. 2019 The Google+ glitch gave outside developers the ability to view private profile information, including full names, email addresses, birth dates, gender, profile photos, places lived, occupation and relationship status. — John D. Mckinnon, WSJ, "Google to Accelerate Closure of Google+ Social Network After Finding New Software Bug," 10 Dec. 2018 In his arrival speech to Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, Francis praised the Christian spirit that allowed the country to endure two Soviet occupations and the World War II-era occupation by Nazi Germany. — Nicole Winfield, Fox News, "Pope praises Latvia's Christian roots in enduring occupation," 24 Sep. 2018 Those numbers fluctuated somewhat depending on gender, occupation and home state. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Only 23% of Americans Get Enough Exercise, a New Report Says," 28 June 2018 Israel says the campaign goes beyond Israeli occupation of lands claimed by the Palestinians and masks a deeper aim of delegitimizing or even destroying the country. — NBC News, "Argentina cancels soccer game against Israel amid BDS campaign," 6 June 2018 Neighboring West Aurora School District 129 is working to create a new career center to house health occupation and information technology programs and a manufacturing training center. — Sarah Freishtat, Aurora Beacon-News, "Career center courses to be option for East Aurora students," 23 Feb. 2018 Between Chinese power struggles, peasant rebellions, invasions from warring Mongol hordes, the French occupation, and American bombing attacks, the city has undergone and continues to undergo tremendous growth and change. — Antonia Neubauer, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to Asia," 5 Oct. 2016 At the same time, a scarcity of skilled workers has led to a nationwide labor shortage that’s resulted in increased wages for a number of blue-collar occupations. — Chuck Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "The State of American Trade Schools," 13 Mar. 2019

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

History and Etymology for occupation

Middle English occupacioun "possession of land, engagement in an activity, vocation, concern," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French occupaciun, borrowed from Latin occupātiōn-, occupātiō "seizing possession, preoccupation," from occupāre "to grasp, take possession of, fill up (space, a position)" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at occupy

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