calling

noun

call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ 

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

Synonyms

• abandonment
• abortion
• calling off
• cancellation
• cancelation
• dropping
• recall
• recision
• repeal
• rescission
• revocation

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

That’s its calling, serving tasty Americana cuisine with Floridian twists and being a hangout for local musicians, foodies and of course, artists. —Essence, 6 Dec. 2024

For the agents who got their chaplain pins last week, those standards now involve a higher calling, too. —Giovanna Dell’orto, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024

There is one new feature on the Echo Show: video calling. —Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024

The update adds audio and video voicemail (à la Apple's FaceTime), AI backgrounds for video calls, HD video calls, background noise suppression, and hands-free calling and messaging via Apple’s Siri voice assistant. —Byandrew Nusca, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing calling

• calling card
• miss one's calling
• name-calling

Kids Definition

calling

noun

call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ 

: occupation sense 1, profession

Medical Definition

calling

noun

call·​ing ˈkȯ-liŋ 

: the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat

also : the period of heat