occupation

noun

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce occupation (audio)
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 ownerSidney (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 policyW. 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.
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This leaves open the question of whether as yet unexplored areas could confirm the existence of a higher urban density or show less dense occupation. Anna Lagos, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024 The event, known as the Alabama Gates occupation, lasted for four days. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024 The vote came after the court released an opinion in July that called Israel’s occupation unlawful and that the Jewish state is obligated to bring a swift end to the war and provide reparations for any damages caused to people in the Palestinian area. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Oct. 2024 The country – occupied by the Nazis from 1938 to 1945 – had been divided into four occupation zones by the U.S., Russia, Britain and France after World War II. Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for occupation 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of occupation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near occupation

Cite this Entry

“Occupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occupation. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

occupation

noun
oc·​cu·​pa·​tion ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce occupation (audio)
1
: one's business or profession
2
: the taking possession and control of an area
occupation of a conquered country

More from Merriam-Webster on occupation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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