occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to a job or occupation

occupational choices

occupational training/skills

occupational safety

Physiatrists commonly treat back and neck pain and other musculoskeletal problems, including sports injuries and occupational problems like repetitive stress injury.

—C. Claiborne Ray

2

: relating to or engaged in the military occupation of a country

served as part of an occupational force

occupational troops

occupationally adverb

Examples of occupational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some states, including Illinois, Nevada and California, have amended state laws to allow people without legal status to apply for professional or occupational licenses. —Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 15 Nov. 2025

The World Health Organization classifies it as an occupational phenomenon, and Gallup reports that 44 percent of employees worldwide experience daily stress — the highest on record. —Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2025

This policy wasn’t always followed, according to one of the inspection reports, which said an occupational therapist was observed feeding a resident in the COVID-19 unit while wearing only a surgical mask and gloves. —Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Bence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

occupation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing occupational

• occupational hazard
• occupational therapy

Rhymes for occupational

• aspirational
• avocational
• calculational
• combinational
• computational
• conformational
• confrontational
• congregational
• conversational
• correlational
• deformational
• derivational

Kids Definition

occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al

ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shnəl, 

-shən-ᵊl

: of or relating to one's occupation

a report on occupational health and safety

occupationally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

: relating to or being an occupational disease

occupational asthma

occupationally

-ē 

adverb