occupation
ok-yuu-PAY-shuhn
Occupation (noun) means a person's job or profession. Example: “My father's occupation is teaching, and he has done it for thirty years.”
noun
1
A person's job or profession.
"My father's occupation is teaching, and he has done it for thirty years."
"What is your occupation, and do you enjoy the work?"
"Please state your name, age, and occupation on the form."
2
The control of a country or territory by a foreign military force.
"The early years of Norman occupation saw a frenzy of castle building."
— Linda Flavell, 1066[:] The Normans Begin to Erect Castles (1999)
"The museum describes life in the town during the long occupation of the region."
"Many families fled the city when the occupation began."
"The country endured decades of foreign occupation."
How to use occupation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a person's job, or the military control of a place.
Common pairings
current occupation
military occupation
occupation of a territory
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Word forms
- Plural
- occupations
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My father's _____ is teaching, and he has done it for thirty years.
Etymology
From Latin occupatio, "a seizing, taking possession", from occupare — see "occupy".
Synonyms
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employment
trade
career
business
pursuit
métier
interest
line of work
profession
vocation
avocation
calling
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for occupation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for occupation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “occupation” mean?
The word “occupation” means a person's job or profession. In plain terms, either a person's job, or the military control of a place.
How do you pronounce “occupation”?
“Occupation” is pronounced ok-yuu-PAY-shuhn (/ˌɑkjʊˈpeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “occupation” in a sentence?
Here is “occupation” used in a sentence: “Please state your name, age, and occupation on the form.”
What is another word for “occupation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “occupation” include interest, line of work, profession, vocation, avocation and calling.
What part of speech is “occupation”?
“Occupation” is a noun.
Where does the word “occupation” come from?
The word “occupation” comes from Latin. From Latin occupatio, "a seizing, taking possession", from occupare — see "occupy".
Is “occupation” a common word?
“Occupation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “occupation” have?
“Occupation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's job or profession.
What is the difference between "occupation" and "job"?
Both refer to the work someone does, but "occupation" is more formal and often appears on official forms and documents. "Job" is the everyday word and can also refer to a single specific position or task.
What is the difference between "occupation" and "profession"?
A "profession" usually means work that requires special training or qualifications, such as law or medicine. "Occupation" is broader and covers any kind of job, whether or not it needs formal training.
Why does "occupation" also mean military control?
"Occupation" has a second, unrelated meaning: the control of a country or territory by a foreign military force. Context makes clear whether it refers to a person's job or to military control of a place.
What do you write for "occupation" on a form?
On a form, "occupation" asks for your job or profession — for example, teacher, engineer, or student. A short noun describing your line of work is expected, not a full sentence.
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