calling

noun

call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ How to pronounce calling (audio)
1
: a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence
2
: the vocation or profession in which one customarily engages
3
: the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat
also : the period of heat
Choose the Right Synonym for calling

work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living.

work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

Examples of calling in a Sentence

He had always felt a calling to help others. He experienced a calling to enter the priesthood.
Recent Examples on the Web So pack your bags, because the Sooner State's calling. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024 And check the calling card cause Chico Forti's numbers on it three times. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Direct messages in the X app, and toggle the Enable audio and video calling option to off. Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 Regardless of his later disabilities, Ken discovered a higher calling to be more fully himself for his kids. Marc Berman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Until then, customers should use Wi-Fi calling, the company said in a statement. NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024 Eventually, Nairn realized his true calling as a performer — as a drag queen named Revvlon, a nightclub DJ and an actor. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Unlocking lifelong financial opportunity for our nation’s students is one of the greatest callings of our time: a core issue that, if successfully addressed, can have positive effects on all parts of society. Tom Davidson, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 The Sheriff's Office also suggests turning on your Wi-fi calling feature as that may help the call go through. Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of calling was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near calling

Cite this Entry

“Calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calling. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

calling

noun
call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ How to pronounce calling (audio)

Medical Definition

calling

noun
call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ How to pronounce calling (audio)
: the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat
also : the period of heat

More from Merriam-Webster on calling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!