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

An overwhelming number, 88%, support converting closed schools into vocational and technical schools, while 73% voiced support for converting them to K-8 centers. —Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026

Karp has long been an advocate of vocational training over traditional college degrees. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026

In the economy of tomorrow, community colleges and vocational-technical schools—optimized for true lifelong learning with apprenticeship and mentorship programs—will likely be the backbones of public and private education alike. —Eric Holcomb, Time, 16 Jan. 2026

The company plans to expand training partnerships with trade unions, community colleges, and vocational institutions to help local residents qualify for these jobs. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026

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