avocation

noun

av·​o·​ca·​tion ˌa-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce avocation (audio)
Synonyms of avocationnext
1
: a subordinate occupation pursued in addition to one's vocation especially for enjoyment : hobby
He's a professional musician, but his avocation is photography.
He had the restrained manners developed when tennis was the avocation of gentleman jocks …—Margo Jefferson
2
: customary employment : vocation
'My name is Riah,' said the old man, with courteous action, 'and my avocation is in London city.'—Charles Dickens
3
archaic : diversion, distraction

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of avocation in a Sentence

He breeds dogs as an avocation. My favorite avocation is reading.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What began as an avocation turned into a serious occupation, as Fox Solomon turned to documenting the remnants of segregation visible in Chattanooga and across the South. —Christina Cacouris, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024 Dramatically groaning and moaning about the heat in the summer is my avocation. —Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024 Wine, however, was an avocation that eventually became part of his portfolio. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 18 June 2024 And the Romans had other, less-objectionable avocations. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for avocation 

Word History

Etymology

Latin avocation-, avocatio, from avocare to call away, from ab- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use

circa 1617, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of avocation was circa 1617

Dictionary Entries Near avocation

avocado toast

avocation

avocational

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Avocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avocation. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

avocation

noun
av·​o·​ca·​tion ˌav-ə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce avocation (audio)
1
: customary employment : vocation
2
: an activity one engages in regularly for enjoyment rather than as a job : hobby
avocational
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on avocation

Nglish: Translation of avocation for Spanish Speakers

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