calling
n.-
1 a life's purpose (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea strong feeling that you must do a specific job or help people in a certain way.
a strong inner urge or conviction to follow a particular career or way of life, often perceived as a duty or a spiritual mission.
ExampleShe felt a calling to become a doctor after seeing how much her community needed help.
ExampleMany nurses describe their entry into the profession not as a mere career choice, but as a calling that demands significant personal sacrifice.
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2 a job or profession (n.) C1 Advanced Formalthe work or job that you do for a living.
a person's regular occupation, profession, or trade.
ExampleHe followed his father's calling and became a carpenter.
ExampleIn the nineteenth century, it was common for sons to adopt the calling of their fathers, regardless of their own personal interests or talents.
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3 the act of shouting or naming (n.) A2 Elementarythe act of shouting out a name or making a phone call.
the action of shouting, summoning, or communicating by telephone.
ExampleThe calling of names at the start of class took several minutes.
ExampleThe constant calling of birds in the forest made it difficult for the researchers to record the subtle sounds of the smaller mammals.
From Middle English callyng, kallyng, kalland, from Old English *cealliende and Old Norse kallandi, equivalent to call + -ing.
From Middle English calling, callynge, equivalent to call + -ing.