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

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

Research highlights how occupational heat exposure can double adverse birth outcomes, with heat acting as a fetal toxin, while fine particulate matter contributes to preterm births and low birth weight. — Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Other occupational or lifestyle factors could also potentially contribute to the findings. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

The programs range from certificates and occupational training through associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate and professional degrees. — Kat Ramkumar, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

They will also be asked to log their fire exposure after each study, which allows researchers to connect occupational exposures to health outcomes. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for occupational

• aspirational
• avocational
• calculational
• combinational
• computational
• conformational
• confrontational
• congregational
• conversational
• correlational
• deformational
• derivational

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