occupation
noun
oc·cu·pa·tion
ˌä-kyə-ˈpā-shən 
1
a
: an activity in which one engages
Pursuing pleasure has been his major occupation.
b
: the principal business of one's life : vocation
Teaching was her occupation.
2
a
: the possession, use, or settlement of land : occupancy
the last of the historic private houses in the metropolis … still in the occupation of its hereditary owner—
Sidney (Australia) Bull.
Sidney (Australia) Bull.
b
: the holding of an office or position
it is only … the occupation … of two offices at the same time that offends public policy—W. D. Miller
W. D. Miller3
a
: the act or process of taking possession of a place or area : seizure
Spain's occupation of the island
b
: the holding and control of an area by a foreign military force
the Roman occupation of Britain
c
: the military force occupying a country or the policies carried out by it
The occupation addressed the concerns of the local population.
Synonyms
Examples of occupation in a Sentence
He is thinking about changing occupations and becoming a police officer.
“What's your occupation?” “I'm a stay-at-home mom.”
Swimming was their main occupation at summer camp.
Some evidence of human occupation was found in these caves.
The offices are ready for occupation.
Recent Examples on the Web
The series streamlines much of the larger historical context and can feel claustrophobic as a result — in excluding a full picture of what British occupation materially meant in the day-to-day of West Belfast, the series fails to communicate the scale of what this history means to the region.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
The legislation does not directly outlaw UNRWA’s operations in the West Bank and Gaza, both considered by international law to be outside the state of Israel but under Israeli occupation.
—Reuters, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
To them, this occupation also spurs tourism opportunities and economic development for not only F&B businesses but also beverage and spirits makers.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
South Korea, the United States, the United Nations, and Ukraine have corroborated intelligence reports that approximately 8,000 Korean People’s Army personnel are set to move into the Kursk region, which is currently under occupation by the Ukrainian military.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for occupation 
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Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
The legislation does not directly outlaw UNRWA’s operations in the West Bank and Gaza, both considered by international law to be outside the state of Israel but under Israeli occupation.
—Reuters, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
To them, this occupation also spurs tourism opportunities and economic development for not only F&B businesses but also beverage and spirits makers.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
South Korea, the United States, the United Nations, and Ukraine have corroborated intelligence reports that approximately 8,000 Korean People’s Army personnel are set to move into the Kursk region, which is currently under occupation by the Ukrainian military.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for occupation
Articles Related to occupation
Dictionary Entries Near occupation
Cite this Entry
“Occupation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occupation. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
occupation
noun
oc·cu·pa·tion
ˌäk-yə-ˈpā-shən
1
: one's business or profession
2
: the taking possession and control of an area
occupation of a conquered country
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