occupation

noun oc·cu·pa·tion \ ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: occupation in a Sentence

Definition of occupation

1 a : 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.

2 a : 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

3 a : 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.

—

occupational

play \ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

—

occupationally

adverb

See occupation defined for English-language learners

See occupation defined for kids

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 of occupation from the Web

The Irish suffered through famine and occupation, and the church was a source of strength and a weapon of defiance.

— christine m. flowers, Philly.com, "We won't back down from the fight to end abortion | Christine Flowers," 28 May 2018
That includes endurance athletes, some military personnel, certain manual occupations, and sports that take place in the heat and require multiple practices a day.

— sara angle, Outside Online, "Your Guide to Using Electrolytes Properly," 21 May 2018
For indigenous populations of the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, the Japanese invasion and occupation and the response by U.S. authorities proved catastrophic.

— peter porco, Anchorage Daily News, "When Japan invaded Alaska: What you need to know about the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Attu," 15 May 2018
Neil Wampler is a 70-year-old hippie who came to the Malheur occupation and offered to cook for the masses of people arriving from around the country.

— leah sottile, Longreads, "Bundyville Chapter One: A War in the Desert," 15 May 2018
This discovery might provide some clues about Greco-Roman occupation and activities that took place in Egypt during this time.

— elaina zachos, National Geographic, "Greco-Roman Temple Unearthed in Egypt," 5 Apr. 2018
In a study released this week, Burning Glass, a labor market analytics firm, finds that skills gaps exist in some specific occupations and industries, but for different reasons.

— christopher a. rugaber, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. job openings soar to record high of 6.3 million," 16 Mar. 2018
Those wishing to participate must include their name, address, occupation and email.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Gubernatorial candidates' forum to be held in San Diego," 14 Mar. 2018
In the case of R-71, those who signed were asked to include their name, occupation, and address.

— Newsweek, "Amazing Photos of Bioluminescent Phytoplankton," 14 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of occupation

Middle English occupacioun, from Anglo-French occupaciun, from Latin occupation-, occupatio, from occupare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

occupation Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.