pursuit

noun

pur·​suit pər-ˈsüt How to pronounce pursuit (audio)
-ˈsyüt
1
: the act of pursuing
2
: an activity that one engages in as a vocation, profession, or avocation : occupation
Choose the Right Synonym for pursuit

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 pursuit in a Sentence

The hounds were running in the woods in pursuit of a fox. She enjoys reading, knitting, and other quiet pursuits.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like the blind father, the country is desperately trying to overcome its past and disadvantages, in pursuit of a more beautiful future — but that pursuit almost necessarily entails a brittle form of pride, which leads to various injustices along the way. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 Obsessive passion means pouring yourself into a single pursuit to the exclusion of everything else. Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 After Monday’s games, the Royals are 3 games behind Seattle for the third and final AL Wild Card spot, though Texas and Cleveland are sandwiched between that pursuit. Sam McDowell 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025 Separately during his speech in Washington, Al-Rumayyan said PIF would continue its pursuit of big international investments while prioritizing domestic development. Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pursuit

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French pursute, from pursure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

“Pursuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pursuit. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pursuit

noun
pur·​suit pər-ˈsüt How to pronounce pursuit (audio)
1
: the act of pursuing
2
: an activity done especially for pleasure

More from Merriam-Webster on pursuit

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