ambassador

American  

[am-bas-uh-der, -dawr] / æmˈbæs ə dər, -ˌdɔr /

Archaic, embassador

noun

1. a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative ambassadorextraordinaryandplenipotentiary.

2. a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.

3. a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country's mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.

4. an authorized messenger or representative. Amb., amb.

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ambassador British  

/ æmˌbæsəˈdɔːrɪəl, æmˈbæsədə /

noun

1. short for ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary ; a diplomatic minister of the highest rank, accredited as permanent representative to another country or sovereign

2. a diplomatic minister of the highest rank sent on a special mission

3. a diplomatic minister of the first rank with treaty-signing powers

4. an ambassador with special duties who may be sent to more than one government

5. an authorized representative or messenger

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Usage

The gender-neutral form is ambassador

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ambassadorship
  noun
• ambassadorially
  adverb
• preambassadorial
  adjective
• ambassadress
  noun
• ambassadorial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ambassador

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English am-, embass(i)adour, imbassadore, from Anglo-French ambassateur, ambassaduer, from Italian ambassatore, dialectal Italian ambassadore, equivalent to ambass- stem of “to send a delegate” + -atore, -adore, from Latin -ātōrem accusative of -ātor noun-forming suffix; see embassy, -ator

Explanation

An ambassador is an official representative for his or her country, stationed in another nation, like Benjamin Franklin, who was an ambassador to France. Ambassador usually describes the official diplomatic envoy who represents one country to another. These ambassadors work to promote understanding, perhaps by settling differences or clearing up misunderstanding. Used less formally, an ambassador can be anyone who represents something, like a pop singer who is a "brand ambassador" for a cosmetics company.

Example Sentences

That’s certainly what led Caligiuri to become an ambassador and tireless advocate for the UPSL.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

The German ambassador was particularly strong in declaring his country’s commitment to a free Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

After three tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, he went back to Afghanistan as a contractor on the security detail for a U.S. ambassador.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

However, his authority has also been undermined by the damaging saga over Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the United States.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

In 1585 Bruno’s host, the French ambassador, was withdrawn from England, and Bruno had no choice but to leave with him.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton