vocational

adjective

vo·​ca·​tion·​al

vō-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl

 

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with a vocation

2

: of, relating to, or undergoing training in a skill or trade to be pursued as a career

a vocational school

vocational students

vocationally adverb

Examples of vocational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike jails, which are designed for short-term incarceration of people who have not been convicted of crimes, prisons like Miami have programs that allow inmates to obtain college degrees, receive vocational training and gain work experience. —Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025

The charity works to empower young people in Lesotho and Botswana, including those living with HIV/AIDS, by offering healthcare, education, vocational training, climate resilience and life skills as a support. —Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025

For example, Social Finance structured the $12.4 million Massachusetts Pathways to Economic Advancement Project, which funded vocational training and career coaching for over 2,000 English-language learners. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2025

An outspoken activist and irrepressible personality who loved to dance, Jimenez announced her coming-out in dramatic fashion, showing up to her vocational high school graduation in heels and make up, according to her friend Buelvas. —Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vocational

• licensed vocational nurse
• vocational school

Rhymes for vocational

• formational
• foundational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• nonrational
• notational
• relational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational

Kids Definition

vocational

adjective

vo·​ca·​tion·​al vō-ˈkā-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with a vocation

2

: of, relating to, or involved in training in a skill or trade to be followed as a career

vocational school

vocationally

-ē

adverb