vocational

adjective

vo·​ca·​tion·​al vō-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce vocational (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with a vocation
2
: of, relating to, or undergoing training in a skill or trade to be pursued as a career
a vocational school
vocational students
vocationally adverb

Examples of vocational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That money needs to go to vocational training and classroom results, not bureaucracy. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 Shoppers can browse gently used goods and purchases through their stores help fund vocational training and rehabilitation. — Amelia Espinales, Florida Times-Union, 18 June 2026 Some advocated for free or discounted college tuition and vocational training. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2026 These insights, especially the emphasis on studying liberal arts subjects as tomorrow’s vocational advantage, echo my own reporting for Forbes. — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vocational

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocational was in 1652

Phrases Containing vocational

Rhymes for vocational

See All Rhymes for vocational

Browse Nearby Words

vocation
vocational
vocational agriculture
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vocational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocational. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vocational

adjective
vo·​ca·​tion·​al vō-ˈkā-shnəl How to pronounce vocational (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with a vocation
2
: of, relating to, or involved in training in a skill or trade to be followed as a career
vocational school
vocationally
-ē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on vocational

Nglish: Translation of vocational for Spanish Speakers

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