avocation — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A calling away; a diversion.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   But though she could neither sleep nor rest in her bed, yet, having no avocation from it, she was found there by her father at his return from Allworthy's, which was not till past ten o'clock in the morning.

2. A hobby or recreational or leisure pursuit.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   But yield who will to their separation, My object in living is to unite My avocation and my vocation As my two eyes make one in sight.

   Gardening is a wholesome avocation that encourages appreciation for nature and concern for the preservation and enhancement of our environment.

3. That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (4)

   I have several things on the anvil, and near finished, that perhaps might be useful, if published: but the continual avocation by business, the impositions on me by impertinent visits, and the uneasiness of writing, which grows more intolerable to me every day, I doubt, will prevent my going any farther.

   [W]hen his other more momentous Avocations of Pedantry and Pedagogiſm vvill give him an Interval from VVrath and Contention, he vvill ſet apart a Moment to conſider humane Nature Deviliz'd, and give us a Mathematical Anatomical Deſcription of it; […]

   I have been received with unsurpassable politeness, delicacy, sweet temper, hospitality, consideration, and with unsurpassable respect for the privacy daily enforced upon me by the nature of my avocation here and the state of my health.

   The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.

5. The calling of a case from an inferior to a superior court.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. an auxiliary activity

   Synonyms

   by-linehobbypursuitsidelinespare-time activity

   Broader terms

   pastimeinterestpursuit