occupation
An occupation is the work that a person does to earn a living. This can describe both long-term careers or more temporary employment.
Occupation can also refer to the state of living or residing on a piece of property. The term is commonly used in this context regarding statutes on adverse possession, which require continuous occupation of property for a specified duration.
Occupation can also describe the status of one nation with a military presence in another nation for an extended period. This generally occurs during or following an armed conflict or war.
[Last reviewed in August of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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