Vocations: meaning, definitions and examples

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vocations

[voʊˈkeɪʃənz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

career choice

Vocations refer to the particular occupation or profession that a person feels called to pursue, often based on their interests, skills, and values. It is a strong inclination or desire towards a certain line of work.

Synonyms

calling, career, occupation, profession.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vocations	Generally used to describe a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation, often one with a significant purpose or mission. Common in contexts related to religious or altruistic work. She felt a vocation for nursing from a very young age. His vocation led him to become a dedicated social worker.
calling	Indicates a deep, often spiritual or emotionally driven inclination towards a specific type of work or purpose in life. Highlights a sense of duty or destiny. John always felt a calling to become a teacher. After years in corporate law, she answered her calling to join a non-profit organization.
profession	Used for careers that typically require specialized education, training, and qualifications. Often associated with fields like medicine, law, or engineering. It implies a certain status and respect within society. She is well respected in her profession as a doctor. After years of study, he finally joined the legal profession.
career	Used to denote a person's professional journey over a significant period, usually in a specific field or industries, such as medicine, law, or business. It focuses on growth, advancement, and long-term goals. He is planning to build a career in software engineering. Her career in journalism spans over two decades.
occupation	Refers to any type of work or job that a person engages in to earn a living. It is a neutral term with no implication of passion or long-term commitment. Her occupation as a librarian keeps her very busy. He listed 'chef' as his occupation on the form.

Examples of usage

Many people find their true calling through their vocations.
She always knew that teaching was her vocation.
His vocation as a doctor allows him to help others in need.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

religious calling

In a religious context, vocations are seen as a divine calling or summons to serve a higher power through a specific role within the church or religious community. It often involves a commitment to a life of service and devotion.

Synonyms

calling, ministry, religious service.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
calling	Implies a strong urge toward a particular way of life or career, often with a sense of destiny or purpose. This can be used in both religious and secular contexts. He realized his calling was to help others through social work. After much soul-searching, she found her calling in the arts.
ministry	Typically used to describe a person's service in a religious capacity, particularly within Christian contexts. It can also refer to government departments, but in religious contexts, it indicates roles like pastors, priests, or other religious leaders. He has served in the ministry for over 20 years. Her ministry focuses on helping the homeless in her community.
religious service	Refers to acts of worship or duties carried out within a religious context. This often includes ceremonies, rituals, and other formal activities in a faith community. The family attends religious services every Sunday. She led the religious service with grace and humility.

Word

Description / Examples

calling

Implies a strong urge toward a particular way of life or career, often with a sense of destiny or purpose. This can be used in both religious and secular contexts.

He realized his calling was to help others through social work.
After much soul-searching, she found her calling in the arts.

ministry

Typically used to describe a person's service in a religious capacity, particularly within Christian contexts. It can also refer to government departments, but in religious contexts, it indicates roles like pastors, priests, or other religious leaders.

He has served in the ministry for over 20 years.
Her ministry focuses on helping the homeless in her community.

religious service

Refers to acts of worship or duties carried out within a religious context. This often includes ceremonies, rituals, and other formal activities in a faith community.

The family attends religious services every Sunday.
She led the religious service with grace and humility.

Examples of usage

She felt a deep sense of vocation to become a nun.
His vocation as a priest was a lifelong commitment to his faith.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'vocatio', which means 'a calling'.
It originally referred to a divine call to the clergy but has since expanded to include various professions.
In medieval times, different vocations were often linked to specific trades or roles within society.

Cultural Perspectives

Many cultures celebrate specific vocations through festivals and ceremonies, like harvest festivals honoring agricultural workers.
In some societies, choosing a vocation is considered a spiritual journey rather than simply a means to earn a living.
Various religious traditions highlight the importance of finding one's vocation as part of fulfilling one's purpose on Earth.

Psychology

Research suggests that individuals who pursue their true vocations tend to experience greater life satisfaction and well-being.
Choosing a vocation aligned with personal values can enhance motivation and productivity in professional settings.
The concept of a 'calling' can lead to deeper commitment in one's work, often resulting in better performance.

Education

Vocational education emphasizes practical training and skills necessary for specific careers, like plumbing or culinary arts.
In many countries, guidance counselors help students identify their vocations based on interests and strengths.
Career exploration programs in schools aim to help students discover various vocations and pathways available to them.

Pop Culture

Movies and books often depict characters on a quest to find their true vocation, highlighting personal growth and self-discovery.
Famous personalities, like Oprah Winfrey, often speak about their vocation as a way to inspire others to pursue their passions.
Television shows frequently explore various occupations, showcasing the challenges and rewards of different vocations.

Translations

Translations of the word "vocations" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vocação

🇮🇳 व्यवसाय

🇩🇪 Berufung

🇮🇩 panggilan

🇺🇦 покликання

🇵🇱 powołanie

🇯🇵 天職

🇫🇷 vocation

🇪🇸 vocación

🇹🇷 meslek

🇰🇷 소명

🇸🇦 دعوة

🇨🇿 povolání

🇸🇰 povolanie

🇨🇳 职业

🇸🇮 poklic

🇮🇸 köllun

🇰🇿 шақыру

🇬🇪 წოდება

🇦🇿 peşə

🇲🇽 vocación

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,488, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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