Occupation Meaning
/ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn activity or task with which one occupies oneself; usually specifically the productive activity, service, trade, or craft for which one is regularly paid; a job.
nounThe act, process or state of possessing a place.
Sentence Examples
You must take up a regular occupation.
Mingle your joys sometimes with your earnest occupation.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She trained for years to get her ____ as a surgeon, performing complex operations.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
When asked about his ____, he proudly stated that he had been a firefighter for over twenty years.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English occupacioun, borrowed from Middle French occupacion, occupation, from Latin occupātiō, occupātiōnis, from occupō (“occupy, seize”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap- (“to seize, grab”). By surface analysis, occupy + -ation.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"With no particular appearance of regret Annesley Greatorex detached himself from the occupation of typing letters and came across to his employer's chair."
— 1927, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados Mysteries:
"Last year it was announced that electrification of L.M.R. main lines was to be speeded up and that it would be essential for the engineers to have the longest possible occupation of the lines involved; this would mean some retrenchment of passenger train services."
— 1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London–Birmingham services – Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 98:
"The early years of Norman occupation saw a frenzy of castle building."
— 1999, Linda Flavell, Roger Flavell, “1066[:] The Normans Begin to Erect Castles”, in dictionary of english down through the ages[:] words & phrases born out of historical events great & small, 2005 edition, London: Kyle Cathie Limited, →ISBN, page 17:
"The lawyer and twice-divorced mother of three had presented herself as the modern face of her party, trying to strip it of unsavoury overtones after her father's convictions for saying the Nazi occupation of France was not "particularly inhumane"."
— 2012 April 23, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in The Guardian:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She trained for years to get her ____ as a surgeon, performing complex operations.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
When asked about his ____, he proudly stated that he had been a firefighter for over twenty years.