If you have a vocation, you have a strong feeling that you are especially suited to do a particular job or to fulfil a particular role in life, especially one which involves helping other people.
It could well be that he has a real vocation.
Diana was convinced of her vocation to provide support for her pupils.
2. variable noun [oft poss NOUN]
If you refer to your job or profession as your vocation, you feel that you are particularly suited to it.
Her vocation is her work as a neuroscientist.
More Synonyms of vocation
vocation in British English
(vəʊˈkeɪʃən)
noun
1.
a specified occupation, profession, or trade
2.
a.
a special urge, inclination, or predisposition to a particular calling or career, esp a religious one
b.
such a calling or career
Word origin
C15: from Latin vocātiō a calling, from vocāre to call
vocation in American English
(voʊˈkeɪʃən)
noun
1.
a.
a call, summons, or impulsion to perform a certain function or enter a certain career, esp. a religious one
b.
the function or career toward which one believes oneself to be called
2.
any trade, profession, or occupation
Word origin
ME vocacion < LL(Ec) vocatio, a calling < L, an invitation, court summons < vocare, to call < vox, voice
Examples of 'vocation' in a sentence
vocation
You could discover your vocation in life when you try a new way of working.
The Sun (2009)
They look for people with a vocation for teaching.
The Sun (2013)
Trades union leadership in those days was less a career than a vocation.
Bryant, Arthur The Search for Justice - a history of Britain and the British people Volume III (1990)
These women mostly saw their jobs as a vocation.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is a calling as insistent as any religious vocation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This may be the day you discover your true vocation in life.
The Sun (2009)
He sought to encourage the vocation of younger people.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Then she came to recognise a vocation to religious life as her true calling.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
These days parenting is a science, a competitive sport and a vocation rolled into one.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He said that public sector leaders who followed their vocation were doing jobs they would have done happily for a lot less pay.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
That did not seem to be one 's vocation.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
At times, he has looked burdened and golf has seemed more like a job than a vocation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You sense that being a dad is Wise's real vocation.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is a vocation, a calling upon their whole life, requiring complete engagement.
Christianity Today (2000)
That, like her religious vocation, soars to the skies.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They would talk about it as if it was a calling or a vocation rather than a cold-blooded act, and that was tough.
The Sun (2007)
Quotations
Many are called, but few are chosenBible: St. Matthew
In other languages
vocation
British English: vocation NOUN
If you have a vocation, you have a strong feeling that you are especially suited to do a particular job or to fulfil a particular role in life, especially one which involves helping other people.
It could well be that he has a real vocation.
American English: vocation
Brazilian Portuguese: vocação
Chinese: 使命感
European Spanish: vocación
French: vocation
German: Berufung
Italian: vocazione
Japanese: 使命感
Korean: 소명 의식
European Portuguese: vocação
Latin American Spanish: vocación
Chinese translation of 'vocation'
vocation
(vəuˈkeɪʃən)
n(c)
职(職)业(業) (zhíyè)
(noun)
Definition
a specified profession or trade
the levels of knowledge and skill required for success in many vocations
Synonyms
profession
Harper was a teacher by profession.
calling
He was a serious man, dedicated to his calling as a physician.
job
the pressure of being the first woman in the job
business
May I ask what business you are in?
office
the honour and dignity of the office of President
trade
He was a jeweller by trade.
role
His role in the events has been pivotal.
post
Sir Peter has held several senior military posts.
career
She is now concentrating on a career as a fashion designer.
mission
He viewed his mission in life as protecting the weak from evil.
employment
She was unable to find employment in the area.
pursuit
They both love outdoor pursuits.
life work
métier
Quotation
Many are called, but few are chosen [Bible: St. Matthew]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of business
Definition
a trade or profession
May I ask what business you are in?
Synonyms
profession,
work,
calling,
job,
line,
trade,
career,
function,
employment,
craft,
occupation,
pursuit,
vocation,
métier
in the sense of calling
Definition
a profession or occupation, esp. a caring one
He was a serious man, dedicated to his calling as a physician.
Synonyms
profession,
work,
business,
line,
trade,
career,
mission,
employment,
province,
occupation,
pursuit,
vocation,
walk of life,
life's work,
métier
in the sense of career
Definition
the series of jobs in a profession or occupation that a person has through his or her life
She is now concentrating on a career as a fashion designer.
Synonyms
occupation,
calling,
employment,
pursuit,
vocation,
livelihood,
life's work
Synonyms of 'vocation'
vocation
Explore 'vocation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of employment
Definition
a person's work or occupation
She was unable to find employment in the area.
Synonyms
job,
work,
business,
position,
trade,
post,
situation,
employ,
calling,
profession,
occupation,
pursuit,
vocation,
métier
in the sense of job
Definition
a person's occupation or paid employment
the pressure of being the first woman in the job
Synonyms
position,
post,
function,
capacity,
work,
posting,
calling,
place,
business,
office,
trade,
field,
career,
situation,
activity,
employment,
appointment,
craft,
profession,
occupation,
placement,
vocation,
livelihood,
métier
in the sense of mission
Definition
a task or duty that a person believes he or she must achieve
He viewed his mission in life as protecting the weak from evil.
Synonyms
task,
work,
calling,
business,
job,
office,
charge,
goal,
operation,
commission,
trust,
aim,
purpose,
duty,
undertaking,
pursuit,
quest,
assignment,
vocation,
errand
in the sense of office
Definition
a position of trust or authority, as in a government