occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to a job or occupation

occupational choices

occupational training/skills

occupational safety

Physiatrists commonly treat back and neck pain and other musculoskeletal problems, including sports injuries and occupational problems like repetitive stress injury.

—C. Claiborne Ray

2

: relating to or engaged in the military occupation of a country

served as part of an occupational force

occupational troops

occupationally adverb

Examples of occupational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 31-year-old occupational therapist from Boynton Beach, Florida was scrolling the app when SQULPT came across her feed. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025

Keith Siegel worked as an a occupational therapist and loves spending time with his grandchildren, according to the forum representing the hostage families. —Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

This impacts all workers, and is not specific to demographics, industry, and occupational shifts. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

As a licensed occupational therapist who works with geriatric patients with chronic illnesses, Amber Edwards can see firsthand the benefit of encouraging movement in everyday life. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

occupation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing occupational

• occupational hazard
• occupational therapy

Kids Definition

occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al

ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shnəl,

-shən-ᵊl

: of or relating to one's occupation

a report on occupational health and safety

occupationally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

occupational

adjective

oc·​cu·​pa·​tion·​al ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

: relating to or being an occupational disease

occupational asthma

occupationally

-ē 

adverb