vocation

[ voh-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. a particular occupation, business, or profession; calling.

   Synonyms: pursuit, employment

2. a strong impulse or inclination to follow a particular activity or career.
3. a divine call to God's service or to the Christian life.
4. a function or station in life to which one is called by God:

   the religious vocation; the vocation of marriage.

vocation

/ vəʊˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a specified occupation, profession, or trade
2. 1. a special urge, inclination, or predisposition to a particular calling or career, esp a religious one
   2. such a calling or career

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocation¹

1400–50; late Middle English vocacio ( u ) n < Latin vocātiōn- (stem of vocātiō ) a call, summons, equivalent to vocāt ( us ) past participle of vocāre to call ( -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocation¹

C15: from Latin vocātiō a calling, from vocāre to call

Example Sentences

But for many years, she and her parents saw acting as a temporary job, something to do until she landed on her real vocation.

From Los Angeles Times

People working with empty homes all seem to have a strong sense of vocation.

From BBC

Asia Pacific is one of only a few places in the world where the Catholic Church is growing in terms of baptised faithful and religious vocations.

From BBC

It’s a sacred vocation, as vulnerability must be protected at all costs.

From Los Angeles Times

When confirmed as authentic by church authorities, these otherwise inexplicable divine signs can lead to a flourishing of the faith, with new religious vocations and conversions.

From Seattle Times