avocation

noun

ˌa-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce avocation (audio)
Definition of avocationnext
as in hobby
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure photography is merely an avocation for me—I've never tried to make money off of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of avocation Retired from her long vocation as a research chemist, Schafer, at 81, remains on the job with her avocations. — Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 May 2025 These avocations can take many shapes—traveling, golf, time with family, snowboarding, knitting, hunting, gardening, fishing, church choir, college football, crossword puzzles, theater, cycling, and walking. — Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for avocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avocation
  1. hobby
  2. pursuit
  3. sport
  4. recreation
Noun
  • Ask others to join in on the hobbies and activities that make your heart sing.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier Thursday, Topps announced the redemption card for this one-of-a-kind Ohtani card had been hit from a hobby box purchased by an unidentified collector at their local card shop, Boca Sports Cards in Boca Raton, Fla.
    — Larry Holder, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of hobby
Noun
  • In the overall sweep of history, the single-minded pursuit of short-term profits was an aberration.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The vehicle instead led deputies on a short pursuit before stopping in the 2400 block of Wandering Ridge Drive, according to the sheriff’s department.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of pursuit
Noun
  • On Monday, two of the sport’s biggest stakeholders came together to provide a little calendar clarity.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Paramount merger has potentially significant implications for college sports.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of sport
Noun
  • The financial services organization considered income taxes, healthcare, recreation, and demographics in creating its list.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The exhibit's visitors can get a chilling feel for the time, with full scale recreations of the annex rooms where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis.
    — Marie Saavedra, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of recreation

Browse Nearby Words

avidness
avocation
avocational
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Avocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avocation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of avocation for Spanish Speakers

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