avocation

[ av-uh-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. something a person does in addition to a principal occupation, especially for pleasure; hobby:

   Our doctor's avocation is painting.

2. a person's regular occupation, calling, or vocation.
3. Archaic. diversion or distraction.

avocation

/ ˌævəˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. formal.
   a minor occupation undertaken as a diversion
2. not_standard.
   a person's regular job or vocation

Other Words From

• avo·cation·al adjective
• avo·cation·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of avocation¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin āvocātiōn- (stem of āvocātiō ) “a calling away”; a- ⁴, vocation

Word History and Origins

Origin of avocation¹

C17: from Latin āvocātiō a calling away, diversion from, from āvocāre to distract, from vocāre to call

Example Sentences

Howard Atlee, an eclectic publicist who represented award-winning Broadway shows and, as an avocation, also bred dachshunds that won best in show at dog competitions, died on March 15 in Silver Spring, Md. He was 97.

From New York Times

His dialogue snaps, and he can riff on just about anything, including Joe’s avocation as a jazz pianist, with authority.

From Los Angeles Times

This avocation can be traced back to an obscure Farmer Alfalfa cartoon his father showed him once.

From Seattle Times

Once she yells about her charley horse what might have been a saucy turn degrades into an awkward limb pile because that is Miranda's avocation.

From Salon

At home, he strove for perfection in his avocation, woodworking, where the process was more flexible but the product, for better or worse, could be definitive.

From New York Times

Related Words

• pastime