1. (n.) A call; a summons; a citation; especially, a designation or appointment to a particular state, business, or profession.

2. (n.) Destined or appropriate employment; calling; occupation; trade; business; profession.

3. (n.) A calling by the will of God.

4. (n.) The bestowment of God's distinguishing grace upon a person or nation, by which that person or nation is put in the way of salvation; as, the vocation of the Jews under the old dispensation, and of the Gentiles under the gospel.

5. (n.) A call to special religious work, as to the ministry.

ambition apostleship area art aspiration bag basis business call calling care of souls career career building careerism cause consideration craft cup of tea employment field forte game goal ground guiding light guiding star handicraft holy orders ideal inspiration intention job lifework line line of business line of work lodestar long suit main interest mainspring manner matter metier mission motive mystery number occupation pastorage pastoral care pastorate pet subject practice priesthood priestship principle profession pursuit rabbinate racket reason sacred calling sake score source specialism speciality specialization specialty spring strong point style technicality the church the cloth the desk the ministry the pulpit thing trade type ulterior motive walk walk of life way weakness work