vocation
/və(ʊ)ˈkeɪʃ(ə)n
/noun
1A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation: not all of us have a vocation to be nurses or doctors...
- Marty perceives his mentoring not as a career but as a vocation and a faith commitment.
- And I think at that time my vocation became very strong.
- The newspaper has a new astrologer and he found his vocation following careers in the Royal Navy, hotels and catering.
Synonyms
calling, life's work, mission, purpose, function, position, niche;
profession, occupation, career, job, day job, work, employment, pursuit, trade, craft, business, line, line of work, speciality, specialty, province, sphere, walk of life;
French métier
informal line of country, game, thing, bag, racket
1.1A person’s employment or main occupation, especially regarded as worthy and requiring dedication: her vocation as a poet...
- She was also a teacher in inner city London - a vocation which requires real dedication.
- The teacher does not hold the prospect of wealth but is accorded respect for his vocation and dedication to the care of the young.
- Management is a calling, a vocation that requires knowledge and passion, but also patience.
1.2A trade or profession: GNVQs in Leisure and Tourism will be the introduction to a wide span of vocations...
- To fit in society well, a youth has to learn a skill, vocation, profession or trade for him or her to become a responsible citizen in the community.
- Children were sent to college and frequently went on to pursue professional vocations, such as law, education, or medicine.
- This behavior is a quick turnoff to professionals who value their vocation and what they have to offer.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin vocatio(n-), from vocare 'to call'.