Occupation
ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən
Definitions
3 meaningsA job or profession.
ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən
A person's usual work or business.
His occupation is a software engineer.
💡 Simply: Your occupation is what you do for work! Like, if you build houses, your occupation is a builder. If you teach kids, your occupation is a teacher.
👶 For kids: It's the kind of work that you do to earn money, like being a doctor or a baker.
More Examples
What is your current occupation?
She changed her occupation from accountant to artist.
How It's Used
"She listed her occupation as a teacher."
"The application required stating your current occupation."
The control of a country or region by a foreign military force.
ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən
The act, process, or fact of being occupied by military forces or the act of taking or maintaining control of a country by military force.
The country remained under occupation for several years after the war.
💡 Simply: When a country's army takes over another country, that's called military occupation.
👶 For kids: When soldiers from one country go and take control of another country.
More Examples
The military occupation brought about significant changes in governance.
Historians study the effects of occupation on the local population.
How It's Used
"The occupation of the city lasted for five years."
"The Roman occupation significantly impacted the local culture."
The act of taking up a position or filling a space.
ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən
The condition of being occupied or being busy
The occupation of the space kept them occupied.
💡 Simply: When something is being used up
👶 For kids: When some is being used up or being used
How It's Used
"His mind was fully taken up with the occupation of playing video games."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
gainful occupation
A job or activity that provides income and a means of support.
"She found a gainful occupation after years of unemployment."
to be in occupation of
To control a place or territory; to be using or living in a place.
"The rebels were in occupation of the city."
From Latin *occupatio* ('a taking possession of'), from *occupare* ('to seize, take possession of'). The word evolved to denote a person's usual work or business, and later, the act of military control of a territory.
The term 'occupation' regarding a person's job has been in use since the late 16th century, and the military sense dates back to the 17th.
Memory tip
Imagine a person filling a space with their work—their occupation is what fills their time and energy.
Word Origin
"to seize, take possession of"