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

• profession
• occupation
• work
• employment

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

Today, only 100 to 200 women enter a religious vocation each year in the U.S., and some never complete the process. —Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025

Yet both, under different titles, are devoted to the personal and social vocation of the same human beings. —Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

At another show at Spokane’s annual fall folk fest in November, no one in attendance at the community college auditorium appeared to recognize Thompson from his primary vocation. —Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2025

With Bill Hader voicing the Cat, the new film expands the story of Dr. Seuss' beloved character, taking us into his world and riffing on the notion that showing children how to have fun and grow their confidence is actually his vocation. —Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 1 July 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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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