occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to a job or occupation

occupational choices

occupational training/skills

occupational safety

Physiatrists commonly treat back and neck pain and other musculoskeletal problems, including sports injuries and occupational problems like repetitive stress injury.

—C. Claiborne Ray

see also occupational hazard

2

: relating to or engaged in the military occupation of a country

served as part of an occupational force

occupational troops

occupationally adverb

Examples of occupational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Our Experts Marielle Marquez, OT, a pediatric occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and founder of Thrive Little, a therapeutic practice that assists caregivers with treating children with tethered oral tissues (TOTs). —Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024

The case highlights a nationwide problem with occupational licensing boards, which already control more than one-fourth of all U.S. jobs. —Daryl James, Orange County Register, 30 Mar. 2024

Over the last 14 months, more than 1,500 Michigan Medicine workers — including 900 diagnostic technologists and 600 physical therapists, occupational therapists, and audiologists — joined the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals union. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 27 Mar. 2024

After receiving a citation from California’s occupational safety and health agency, Sutter appealed by pointing to the CDC’s statements suggesting that the virus spreads mainly over short distances. —Amy Maxmen | Kff Health News, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2024

Most occupational/speech therapists recommend against the hard nozzle sippy cups, according to Parks. —Lauren Wellbank, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024

The department has not released data on occupational deaths for 2023. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024

Women currently make up 5% of the more than 175,000 active duty members of the Marine Corps, the organization adds, with 93% of all occupational fields and 62% of all positions now open to women. —Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024

Marital and occupational status are also tracked in the study, as well as women’s roles as leaders. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

occupation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing occupational

• occupational hazard
• occupational therapy

Kids Definition

occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al

ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shnəl,

-shən-ᵊl

: of or relating to one's occupation

a report on occupational health and safety

occupationally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

: relating to or being an occupational disease

occupational asthma

occupationally

-ē 

adverb