vocation

noun

vo·ca·tion | \ vō-ˈkā-shən

Definition of vocation

1a : 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

2a : 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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about vocation

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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

Still, the more scientific understanding of fire science has shifted firefighting from a vocation to a profession. — Hillary Davis, latimes.com, "Fire Chief Chip Duncan to retire after 32 years serving Newport Beach," 12 July 2019 Lunn said teaching is a vocation forever etched into her life, and retirement is all about making the most of her new routine outside the classroom. — Mel Jimenez, Houston Chronicle, "When it comes to retirement, it’s all about balance," 21 June 2019 In the long years of Nazi assault and occupation, resistance was often a lonely and certainly unrewarded vocation. — Sonia Purnell, Twin Cities, "Sonia Purnell: What D-Day teaches us about the difficulty – and importance – of resistance," 6 June 2019 Crucially, though, Harbart doesn’t see his vocation as a fraud. — John Domini, chicagotribune.com, "‘Harbat’: Speaking to the dead, the living — and now Americans, too," 7 Aug. 2019 Father David Garcia’s life and vocation have been all about relationships — and miracles large and small. — Scott Huddleston, ExpressNews.com, "Father David’s role grew from San Antonio parish priest to major community leader," 8 July 2019 Peter’s loyalty to his friends — a sweet, spirited crew embodying the tolerance, skepticism and earnestness that characterize their generation, as well as some of its less appealing aspects — is sometimes at odds with his vocation. — New York Times, "Review: ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ Is the Latest Iron Man Movie," 27 June 2019 His first inspiration for a vocation to the Priesthood was nurtured by the faith of his Catholic parents and the priests and nuns at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church and Grade School in Hamtramck, Michigan. — sun-sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 7/7," 7 July 2019 Monet grew up here and painted in the open air with the older artist Eugène Boudin, so discovering his vocation for capturing light and atmosphere. — National Geographic, "Step into Impressionist paintings on this French tour," 17 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vocation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.