WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
av•o•ca•tion /ˌævəˈkeɪʃən/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a secondary occupation:The surgeon's avocation is teaching the handicapped.
av•o•ca•tion
(av′ə kā′shən),USA pronunciation n.
av′o•ca′tion•al, adj.
av′o•ca′tion•al•ly, adv.
- something a person does in addition to a principal occupation, esp. for pleasure;
hobby:Our doctor's avocation is painting. - a person's regular occupation, calling, or vocation.
- [Archaic.]diversion or distraction.
- Latin āvocātiōn- (stem of āvocātiō) a calling away. See a-4, vocation
- 1520–30
av′o•ca′tion•al•ly, adv.