pursuit

Noun

• a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)
  • sailing is her favorite pastime
    
  • his main pastime is gambling
    
  • he counts reading among his interests
    
  • they criticized the boy for his limited pursuits
    

• an auxiliary activity

• a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
  • the pursuit of love
    
  • life is more than the pursuance of fame
    
  • a quest for wealth
    

• the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
  • the culprit started to run and the cop took off in pursuit
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  pastime , interest , avocation , by-line , hobby , sideline , spare-time activity , pursuance , quest , chase , pursual , following