vocationvo‧ca‧tion /vəʊˈkeɪʃən $ voʊ-/ noun [countable, uncountable] 
Jan has a vocation for teaching. a strong sense of vocation You missed your vocation (=you would have been good at a particular job). b)a particular type of work that you feel is right for you: At 17 she found her true vocation as a writer.2a strong belief that you have been chosen by God to be a priest or a nun
WORD ORIGINvocation
Origin:
1400-1500 Latin vocatio ‘call, summons’, from vocare ‘to call’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He was quite young when he decided he had a religious vocation.
- Nursing is hard work and often low paid, but for many people it is a vocation.
- As in the lives of many artists, illness revealed his vocation.
- At times the yoke of his vocation was almost unbearable, although there is no indication that he ever regretted assuming it.
- Had vocation advisors been around they would doubtless have recommended a commercial future on the scientific side.
- His real vocation was the river.
- This was not the inspiration for her vocation.
Longman Language Activatora job
the work that you do regularly in order to earn money, especially when you work for an employer: · My first job was in a record store.· Daniel starts his new job on Monday.· She has a well-paid job in the tax department.get a job: · Ted got a job as a bartender.find a job (=get a job after trying to get a lot of different jobs): · Her son still hasn't been able to find a job.look for a job (=try to get one): · She's looking for a job in the music business.hold a job (=have a job): · If a woman is qualified, she should hold any job in government she wants.part-time job (=when you work less than the usual number of hours each week): · I had a part-time job while I was in college.job losses/job cuts (=when a lot of people lose their jobs): · The company announced 74,000 job cuts and 21 factory closures.
work that someone does regularly to earn money, either by working for an employer or working for themselves: · My father started work when he was 14.· Most people stop work when they are 65.· I usually start work each day around 9 am and finish about 6 pm.· The work's really interesting but the pay's lousy.look for work (=to try to get work): · Lena graduated from college six months ago and she's still looking for work.find work (=to get work): · He eventually found work as a labourer on a construction site.return to work/go back to work (=to start work again after several weeks, months, or years): · Women often return to work after they have had children.· His injuries have made it impossible for him to go back to work.at work (=at the place where you work): · Her mother tried to call her at home and then at work.to work (=to the place where you work): · Alexander commutes 30 miles to work each day.after/before work (=before you start or after you finish your work each day): · They sometimes play tennis after work.
work such as law, medicine, or teaching, for which you need special training and education: · Many teachers are thinking about leaving the profession for more highly paid careers.the teaching/medical/legal etc profession: · There are now a lot more women in the legal profession.go into/enter a profession: · There was a big demand for accountants in the 1980s, and many graduates entered the profession at this time.
the type of work that someone usually does - used especially on official forms: · Please write your name, address, and occupation in the spaces below.· Part-time workers often work in low-paid occupations.
the general type of work that you do, such as buying and selling a particular type of thing: · In our business the first rule is that the customer is always right.· "What type of business are you in?'' "I run a catering company.''the newspaper/used-car/movie etc business: · The used-car business has a pretty bad reputation.
spoken use this to ask what someone's job is: · What does your husband do?· She used to work for an accounting firm, but I'm not sure what she does now.
a skilled job in which you use your hands to do things, such as building houses, making furniture, or repairing cars: · Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry or printing.· Young men and women can learn a trade in the military.be a bricklayer/carpenter etc by trade: · His father had been a bricklayer by trade.
the type of work that you do for most of your working life, which involves several similar jobs over a long period of time: · Like his father, Tommy chose a career in the Army.· Later on in his career he became first secretary at the British Embassy in Washington.· The scandal destroyed his career as a politician.career in: · I wanted to find out more about careers in publishing.
a job such as being a nurse, priest, or teacher that you do because you have a strong feeling that you want to do it, especially because you want to help people: · Nursing is hard work and often low paid, but for many people it is a vocation.· He was quite young when he decided he had a religious vocation.
the work that you do in order to earn enough money to live on or the thing that provides the work for you to do: · Most of the people here depend on tourism for their livelihood.· Fishermen are angry about the new EC fishing regulations because they feel that their livelihood is being threatened.
the type of work or job that you do: · I meet some interesting people in my line of work.· Henson had to leave real-estate, which had been his line of business since 1969.
when people work or have jobs - used especially in official documents, news reports etc: · I have not yet signed a contract of employment.· A Japanese company plans to set up a factory in the area, so this should provide some employment for local people.be in employment (=have a job): · Are you in full-time employment, Mr Edwards?
WORD SETSaccountant, nounactuary, nounadministrator, nounadviser, nounadvocate, nounamanuensis, nounarchivist, nounarmourer, nounauctioneer, nounaudiotypist, nounbackroom boy, nounbailiff, nounbaker, nounbanker, nounbarber, nounbargee, nounbarkeeper, nounbarker, nounbarmaid, nounbarman, nounbartender, nounbeachcomber, nounbeadle, nounbellboy, nounbellhop, nounbiographer, nounblacksmith, nounboatman, nounboatswain, nounbodyguard, nounboffin, nounbombardier, nounbookseller, nounboss, nounbotanist, nounbouncer, nounbreeder, nounbricklayer, nounbuckaroo, nounbuilder, nounbureaucrat, nounbutcher, nounbutler, nounbuyer, nouncabin boy, nouncabinet-maker, nouncareer counselor, nouncareers officer, nouncaretaker, nouncarpenter, nouncarter, nouncashier, nouncaterer, nounCEO, nouncertified public accountant, nounchairman, nounchambermaid, nounchandler, nounchar, nouncharlady, nouncharwoman, nounchef, nounchief executive officer, nounchief of staff, nounchildminder, nounchimney sweep, nouncleaner, nounclerk, nounclothier, nounclown, nouncoastguard, nouncobbler, nouncocktail waitress, nouncollier, nouncomedian, nouncomedienne, nouncomic, nouncommercial traveller, nouncommissionaire, nouncompositor, nounconcierge, nounconfectioner, nounconsultant, nouncook, nouncooper, nouncopy editor, nouncopywriter, nouncorrespondent, nouncostermonger, nouncounsellor, nouncourier, nouncowboy, nouncowgirl, nouncowhand, nouncowpoke, nounCPA, nouncraftsman, nouncrew, nouncrewman, nouncrofter, nouncroupier, nouncurator, nouncustodian, noundaily, noundairymaid, noundairyman, noundelivery man, noundesigner, noundesk clerk, noundetective, noundick, noundietician, noundinner lady, noundisc jockey, noundispatch rider, noundistrict nurse, noundiver, nounDJ, noundocent, noundocker, noundogcatcher, noundog warden, noundomestic, noundomestic service, noundoorkeeper, noundoorman, noundowser, noundramatist, noundraper, noundraughtsman, noundressmaker, noundriver, noundrover, noundruggist, noundustbin man, noundustman, nouneducationalist, nouneducator, nounelectrician, nounengineer, nounescort, nounessayist, nounestate agent, nounexecutive, nounfarmer, nounfarmhand, nounfarrier, nounfire chief, nounfirefighter, nounfireman, nounfirst mate, nounfirst officer, nounfishmonger, nounfitter, nounflorist, nounflower girl, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfrogman, nounfruiterer, nounfunctionary, nounfuneral director, nounfurrier, noungaffer, noungamekeeper, noungarbage collector, noungarbage man, noungardener, noungatekeeper, noungaucho, noungendarme, nounghost writer, nounglazier, noungoatherd, noungoldsmith, noungondolier, noungoverness, noungovernor, noungravedigger, noungreengrocer, noungrip, noungrocer, noungroom, noungroundsman, nounground staff, nounguard, nounguest worker, nounguide, noungunner, noungunsmith, nounhack, nounhandler, nounhandmaiden, nounhandyman, nounhangman, nounharvester, nounhatter, nounhawker, nounheadhunter, nounhead teacher, nounhelper, nounherald, nounherbalist, nounherdsman, nounhired hand, nounhireling, nounhistorian, nounhomemaker, nounhomeworker, nounhouse husband, nounhousewife, nouniceman, nounillustrator, nounimpersonator, nounimpresario, nounindustrialist, nouninnkeeper, nouninspector, nouninterior decorator, nouninterpreter, nouninvestigator, nounjanitor, nounjester, nounjeweller, nounjoiner, nounjourno, nounJP, nounjudge, nounkeeper, nounlamplighter, nounlandlady, nounlandlord, nounlibrarian, nounlocksmith, nounlongshoreman, nounmagician, nounmaid, nounmaid of honour, nounmaidservant, nounmail carrier, nounmailman, nounmaitre d', nounmajordomo, nounman, nounmanagement consultant, nounmanservant, nounmason, nounmasseur, nounmasseuse, nounmatador, nounmathematician, nounmechanic, nounmedic, nounmenial, adjectivemenial, nounmerchant seaman, nounmidwife, nounmilkmaid, nounmilkman, nounmilliner, nounminder, nounminer, nounminiaturist, nounminister, nounmodel, nounmortician, nounmover, nounmovie star, nounnanny, nounnavvy, nounnewscaster, nounnewsreader, nounnight porter, nounnight watchman, nounnovelist, nounnumber cruncher, nounnurse, nounnursemaid, nounnurseryman, nounnursery nurse, nounnursing, nounobstetrician, nounoccupation, nounodd-job man, nounoilman, nounold salt, nounoptician, nounostler, nounpacker, nounpaediatrician, nounpaediatrics, nounpageboy, nounpainter, nounpalmist, nounpaperboy, nounpaper girl, nounpaper-pusher, nounparachutist, nounparalegal, nounparamedic, nounpark keeper, nounparliamentarian, nounpathology, nounpawnbroker, nounpeasant, nounpedlar, nounpen pusher, nounpensioner, nounperformer, nounpersonal assistant, nounpharmacist, nounphotographer, nounpipe fitter, nounplanter, nounplasterer, nounplaywright, nounploughman, nounplumber, nounpoet, nounpolice, nounporter, nounpostman, nounpotter, nounpractitioner, nounprinter, nounprivate detective, nounprivate eye, nounprivate investigator, nounprivate practice, nounprivate secretary, nounpro, nounpro, adjectiveprobation officer, nounprofession, nounprofessional, adjectiveprofessional, nounprofessionally, adverbprogrammer, nounproperty developer, nounprostitute, nounpsychiatrist, nounpsychiatry, nounpsychoanalyst, nounpublican, nounpublic defender, nounpublicist, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic relations, nounpublisher, nounpurser, nounquantity surveyor, nounquestion master, nounrabbi, nounradiographer, nounradiologist, nounrag-and-bone-man, nounrancher, nounranger, nounreal estate agent, nounreceptionist, nounrecruit, nounrector, nounregistrar, nounrepo man, nounreporter, nounrestaurateur, nounretailer, nounreviewer, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrookie, nounroughneck, nounroustabout, nounsailor, nounsalesclerk, nounsalesgirl, nounsalesman, nounsalesperson, nounsales representative, nounsaleswoman, nounsanitation worker, nounscalper, nounschoolmaster, nounschoolmistress, nounschoolteacher, nounscout, nounscout, verbscrew, nounscribe, nounscrubber, nounsea captain, nounseaman, nounseamstress, nounsecretary, nounsecurity guard, nounsemi-professional, adjectiveservant, nounshepherd, nounshepherdess, nounship's chandler, nounshipwright, nounshoemaker, nounshopkeeper, nounsilversmith, nounsmith, nounsoldier, nounsoldier of fortune, nounspaceman, nounspiv, nounstallholder, nounstationer, nounsteeplejack, nounsteersman, nounsteno, nounstenographer, nounstevedore, nounstockbroker, nounstoker, nounstorekeeper, nounstraight man, nounstringer, nounstructural engineer, nounstylist, nounsubmariner, nounsuperintendent, nounsurveyor, nounsweep, nounswineherd, nountailor, nountanner, nountaster, nountattooist, nountaxidermist, nounteamster, nountelecommuter, nounteller, nountemp, nountemp, verbtinker, nountobacconist, nountown crier, nountrade, nountradesman, nountraffic warden, nountranslator, nountrapper, nountravel agent, nountravelling salesman, nountreasurer, nountroubleshooter, nountrucker, nounturner, nountypist, nountypographer, nounundertaker, noununderwriter, nounusher, nounusherette, nounusurer, nounvalet, nounvaluer, nounvice-president, nounvideo jockey, nounvillein, nounvintner, nounvocation, nounvocational, adjectivewaiter, nounwaitress, nounwallah, nounwarden, nounwarder, nounwasherwoman, nounwatchmaker, nounwatchman, nounweaver, nounwelder, nounwhaler, nounwheelwright, nounwindow cleaner, nounwindow dresser, nounwoodcutter, nounwoodsman, nounworkman, nounWPC, nounwrangler, nounwriter, nounyeoman, nounzoo-keeper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Jan has a vocation for teaching. a strong sense of vocation You missed your vocation (=you would have been good at a particular job). At 17 she found her true vocation as a writer.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
1a)the feeling that the purpose of your life is to do a particular type of work, especially because it allows you to help other peoplevocation for Jan has a vocation for teaching. a strong sense of vocation You missed your vocation (=you would have been good at a particular job). At 17 she found her true vocation as a writer.· Although he wrote chamber and orchestral music, songs were his true vocation.· Her fate has taken her on a different journey, a route where the monarchy is secondary to her true vocation.
Jan has a vocation for teaching. a strong sense of vocation You missed your vocation (=you would have been good at a particular job). b)a particular type of work that you feel is right for you: At 17 she found her true vocation as a writer.2a strong belief that you have been chosen by God to be a priest or a nun