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 of vocation

• 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

The college also views skilled labor not just as an enriching experience on the way to a white-collar job but as a vocation. —Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026

Catholics represent about 29% of the population, and the country is a major source of growth and priestly vocations for the church. —Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026

For Ethan Hawke, being an artist is a vocation first and a profession second. —Laura Linney, Time, 15 Apr. 2026

Reynolds ran a tree service at the time, one he’d started a few years after high school, and these were serious problems for someone whose vocation involved wielding a chainsaw. —Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026

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

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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