AbstractThe current article delineates the need for the profession of occupational therapy to maintain relevance and be responsive to current trends. As part of such responsivity, this article proposes a reconsideration of the concept of occupation as an ‘adaptive response’ to the current societal need for clarification regarding occupational therapy. Reconsideration of what is meant by occupation for general use is discussed and illustrated by the ambiguous use of the term occupation as both a means and an end. Although occupational therapists are comfortable with such ambiguous use because of their apparent ease with complexity, use of the term in an ambiguous manner makes it harder for society to understand what is meant by occupation. Related to this, an annotation of literature on the definitions of occupation is presented in summary form. Furthermore, the political need to reconsider the term occupation is argued in light of the revision of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), which includes the use of the word activity. Finally, this article proposes that occupation should be considered as the process of doing with meaning, and that activity should be the outcome. Such reconsideration renders us consistent with ICF and paves the way to reduce ambiguity in the use of the term occupation with the general public. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.