occupations
occupations — noun
- occupationssingular
- occupationsesplural
1. The type of paid work that a person does, especially when it requires training o
The type of paid work that a person does, especially when it requires training or skill and provides their main income.
Bilal listed his occupation as 'civil engineer' on the visa application form.
occupation as [profession] — naming your job in a document
The career fair helped students explore different occupations in healthcare and technology.
Rohan's father said a good occupation must be something you enjoy doing every day.
The survey asked every person to state their occupation, even if they were retired.
- profession
Emphasises a career that requires advanced education, such as law or medicine
- trade
Refers to skilled manual work, such as carpentry or plumbing
- career
Focuses on the long-term progression in one line of work
文法句型
occupation as [profession]
occupation of [person]
用法筆記
In formal or official contexts (such as forms, interviews, and surveys), 'occupation' is preferred over 'job' because it sounds more neutral and professional.
常見錯誤
2. Something that you spend time doing regularly for enjoyment or to keep yourself
Something that you spend time doing regularly for enjoyment or to keep yourself busy, rather than for money.
Constanza's favourite occupation during retirement is tending her rose garden every morning.
occupation as a regular pleasant activity you fill time with
Jin found that painting landscapes was a peaceful occupation for his Sunday afternoons.
Without a hobby to fill her evenings, Eve took up knitting as a quiet occupation.
The old man's chief occupation was watching birds from his window and noting each sighting.
文法句型
occupation + gerund/noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense sounds slightly formal or old-fashioned. In everyday conversation, speakers are more likely to say 'hobby', 'pastime', or 'activity'.
常見錯誤
3. When an invading foreign army enters a region and holds authority over it, often
When an invading foreign army enters a region and holds authority over it, often imposed by force and lasting for months or years.
During the occupation of the capital, schools were closed and a curfew was imposed.
the occupation of [place] — naming the place taken over
The museum has an exhibit about daily life under foreign occupation during the 1940s.
under occupation — prepositional phrase for the state of being occupied
Historians still debate how the occupation affected the region's economy for decades afterward.
The occupation ended when the invading troops withdrew after a peace agreement was signed.
- liberation
The act of freeing a place from occupation
文法句型
the occupation of [place]
under occupation
during the occupation
用法筆記
This sense is typically used with the definite article ('the occupation') when referring to a specific historical event. The phrase 'under occupation' functions as an adverbial describing life during military control.
常見錯誤
4. The condition of residing in or actively using a building, room, or area of land
The condition of residing in or actively using a building, room, or area of land, often under a rental or ownership agreement.
The landlord confirmed the flat was ready for occupation on the first of next month.
ready for occupation — real-estate phrase meaning available to move in
Élise signed a contract allowing her occupation of the office space for two years.
The new building received a safety certificate before any occupation was permitted.
Sivan's family took up occupation of the farmhouse in early spring.
- vacancy
The state of being empty or unoccupied
文法句型
ready for occupation
occupation of [building/land]
用法筆記
Especially common in British English legal and property contexts. 'Certificate of occupation' or 'occupation permit' refers to official permission to live in a newly built or renovated property.