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.
Our infrastructure renaissance must be matched by an equally ambitious workforce renaissance, with an even greater emphasis on technical and vocational education. — Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The Brinell School is a high school that also offers vocational classes. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 Students in eligible trade, career, technical or vocational programs are generally treated as undergraduate students for federal student aid purposes. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 In 1994, as Chinese reformer Deng Xiaoping’s market liberalization unleashed a heady entrepreneurial spirit across the People’s Republic, Wang quit his job at a vocational college and invented the world’s first automatic soymilk maker. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 18 Aug. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Vocational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocational. Accessed 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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