1
: a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence
2
: the vocation or profession in which one customarily engages
3
: the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat
also
: the period of heat
Synonyms
Examples of calling in a Sentence
He had always felt a calling to help others.
He experienced a calling to enter the priesthood.
Recent Examples on the Web
The effort to break up Live Nation is, if anything, an even more populist calling card than taking on the behemoths of Silicon Valley.
—
Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
Of course, music was only part of the story, given that the food and drink offerings — two of Napa Valley’s true calling cards — are also major reasons why this festival keeps selling out year after year.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 25 May 2024
Hagerty While working in the family business is not an unusual career path, McKeel Hagerty found out that was to be his calling by a most unorthodox route.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 21 May 2024
Cancer June 21 – July 22 Teaching might be your calling for the time being.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calling 
Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
Of course, music was only part of the story, given that the food and drink offerings — two of Napa Valley’s true calling cards — are also major reasons why this festival keeps selling out year after year.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 25 May 2024
Hagerty While working in the family business is not an unusual career path, McKeel Hagerty found out that was to be his calling by a most unorthodox route.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 21 May 2024
Cancer June 21 – July 22 Teaching might be your calling for the time being.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calling
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near calling
Cite this Entry
“Calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calling. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
calling
noun
call·ing
ˈkȯ-liŋ 
Medical Definition
calling
noun
call·ing
ˈkȯ-liŋ
: the characteristic cry of a female cat in heat
also
: the period of heat
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share