occupation

noun

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən 

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.

Synonyms

• calling
• employment
• game
• lay
• line
• profession
• trade
• vocation
• work

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

How will Columbia, over the next fifty years, gradually absorb the student occupation of 2024 into its branding? —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025

The Taif Agreement, ending Lebanon’s civil war in 1989, formally recognized the state’s right to resist the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories – and with it Hezbollah’s presence as a force of resistance. —Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 15 May 2025

Workers who sought training for new occupations were provided with such training at no cost, and also were provided with assistance in identifying and pursuing job openings. —Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

The history of spritzes dates back to the late 1800s, when Austria began its decades-long occupation of Venice. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for occupation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

occupation

noun

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən 

1

: one's business or profession

2

: the taking possession and control of an area

occupation of a conquered country