vocation

noun

vo·​ca·​tion vō-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action

especially : a divine call to the religious life

b

: an entry into the priesthood or a religious order

2

a

: the work in which a person is employed : occupation

b

: the persons engaged in a particular occupation

3

: the special function of an individual or group

Did you know?

When vocation was first used in English in the 15th century it referred specifically to a summons from God to perform a particular task or function in life, especially a religious one. This meaning is no surprise given the word's source: it comes from Latin vocation-, vocacio, meaning "summons," which in turn comes from vocāre, meaning "to call." Vocation also has a secular position in the English language as a word for the strong desire to do a certain kind of work, or as a word for the work itself, making vocation a synonym of the words calling and occupation.

Synonyms

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

Examples of vocation in a Sentence

This isn't just a job for me; it's a vocation.

people who follow a religious vocation

He never felt a real sense of vocation.

I'm a carpenter by vocation, but my hobby is painting.

Recent Examples on the Web

In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025

In his previous vocation as a real estate developer, Trump became familiar with the things that make a building more than merely functional but surpassingly beautiful. —Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025

Her vocation requires the skill of transformation and self-abnegation, as well as a receptiveness to language and emotion not her own. —Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025

They were reminded, over and over, that their job was a vocation, one with a professional code: No matter who the passengers were, flight attendants were in charge of the cabin, responsible for safety in the air. —Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vocacioun, from Anglo-French vocaciun, from Latin vocation-, vocatio summons, from vocare to call, from vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing vocation

• miss one's vocation

Rhymes for vocation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

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Kids Definition

vocation

noun

vo·​ca·​tion vō-ˈkā-shən 

1

: a strong desire or leaning for a certain career or course of action

especially : a divine call to the religious life

2

a

: the work a person regularly does : occupation

b

: the persons in a particular occupation

Etymology

Middle English vocacioun "a strong inclination to a particular course of action or way of life," from early French vocaciun (same meaning), from Latin vocation-, vocatio "summons," derived from vocare "to call" — related to advocate, provoke, revoke