occupation

/ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən/

Middle English occupacioun "possession of land, engagement in an activity, vocation, concern," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French occupaciun, borrowed from Latin occupātiōn-, occupātiō "seizing possession, preoccupation," from occupāre "to grasp, take possession of, fill up (space, a position)" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action

noun

  1. an activity in which one engages

  2. the principal business of one's life : vocation

  3. the possession, use, or settlement of land : occupancy

Pursuing pleasure has been his major occupation.

Teaching was her occupation.

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. employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.