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
Noun
  • People are making more transactions AND hobbies are costing more.
    — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Solomon has also previously drawn negative press over his hobby of DJing.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The pursuit of greater efficiency has also been applied to the company’s workforce, which has undergone recent layoffs.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The memo came the day that courtroom testimony highlighted ways in which two ICE officers involved in a vehicle stop, pursuit and shooting that wounded a delivery driver in Austin last month would not have complied with the new guidance.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Goldman is bullish on everything from theme parks to sports, and businesses in between, ahead of Disney’s earnings later this quarter.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The study revealed that sport was only discussed 13% of the time and that parents provided more praise about their child’s performance than the athlete did themselves.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For close to two decades, this crowd-pleasing pop superstar has been topping charts and gobbling up Grammys with detailed recreations of an ever-expanding array of past musical styles.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Another $70 million will go toward community centers such as a recreation center in Steele Creek or a civic center closer to uptown.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Avocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avocation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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