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calling

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

Definition of calling

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 & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about calling

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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

 The family will receive relatives and friends at D'Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel on Saturday (August 17) from 10 - 11 a.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at the conclusion of calling hours. — courant.com, "Charles Derohanian," 14 Aug. 2019 Mobs burned an eight-foot-tall cross in an open field, the calling card of the KKK. — Tom Verducci, SI.com, "The Hard, Historic Roads That Lead to Baseball's Magic Number: .400," 8 Aug. 2019 The calling card that brought Allen to IU initially, his defensive acumen helped improve a woeful unit from nearly last in the country in 2015 to 27th in total defense just two seasons later. — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, "Talent infusion, improved depth has Tom Allen betting on his IU football team like he never has before," 18 July 2019 This one-pot chicken soup relies on the summer calling cards of lemon, tomato and zucchini. — Bonnie S. Benwick, The Denver Post, "There’s a chicken soup for every season, and this one says summer," 17 July 2019 In what has been the calling card of this D.C. winter, winds pick up Tuesday and Wednesday as the storm intensifies off the Northeast and New England coast. — Brian Jackson, Washington Post, "D.C.-area forecast: Enjoyable Sunday with light snow possible Monday, but will it stick?," 11 Mar. 2018 This one-pot chicken soup relies on the summer calling cards of lemon, tomato and zucchini. — Bonnie S. Benwick, Twin Cities, "There’s a chicken soup for every season, and this one says summer," 24 July 2019 This one-pot chicken soup relies on the summer calling cards of lemon, tomato and zucchini. — Bonnie S. Benwick, The Denver Post, "There’s a chicken soup for every season, and this one says summer," 17 July 2019 This one-pot chicken soup relies on the summer calling cards of lemon, tomato and zucchini. — Bonnie S. Benwick, The Denver Post, "There’s a chicken soup for every season, and this one says summer," 17 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of calling

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for calling

calling

noun
How to pronounce calling (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of calling

: a strong desire to spend your life doing a certain kind of work (such as religious work)
: the work that a person does or should be doing

See the full definition for calling in the English Language Learners Dictionary

calling

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

Kids Definition of calling

: a profession especially that a person feels strongly about Teaching was his true calling.

calling

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

Medical Definition of calling

: the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat also : the period of heat

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