embassy

[ em-buh-see ]

noun

, plural em·bas·sies.

1. a body of people entrusted with a mission to a sovereign or government, especially an ambassador and their staff.
2. the official headquarters of an ambassador.
3. the function or office of an ambassador.
4. a mission headed by an ambassador.

embassy

/ ˈɛmbəsɪ /

noun

1. the residence or place of official business of an ambassador
2. an ambassador and his entourage collectively
3. the position, business, or mission of an ambassador
4. any important or official mission, duty, etc, esp one undertaken by an agent

Word History and Origins

Origin of embassy¹

First recorded in 1570–80; variant of ambassy, from Middle French ambassee, Old French ambasce, ambaxee, ultimately from Old Provençal ambaissada, derivative of embayssar “to send a delegate,” from Medieval Latin ambasciāre, derivative of ambascia “service, office,” derivative, by a Germanic intermediary (compare Gothic andbahti, Old High German ambahti ) of Gallo-Latin ambactus “retainer, servant” (from Gaulish, equivalent to amb- “around, both” + -act- verbal adjective of unattested ag- “drive, lead”; compare Welsh amaeth “husbandman”); ambi-, amphi- ( def ), act, ambassador

Word History and Origins

Origin of embassy¹

C16: from Old French ambassee, from Old Italian ambasciata, from Old Provençal ambaisada, ultimately of Germanic origin; see ambassador

Example Sentences

That means that only the Stars and Stripes should fly over our embassies in foreign countries.

From Washington Blade

Blinken during his confirmation hearing also said he would once again allow ambassadors to fly Pride flags at their embassies.

From Washington Blade

Blinken told Markey he would once again allow ambassadors to fly Pride flags at their embassies if confirmed to succeed Pompeo.

From Washington Blade

Adelson, a driving force in the effort to relocate the embassy, pledged millions of dollars to the State Department to help pay for a new building.

From Washington Post

In 2012, a bomb attached to an Israeli diplomat’s car in New Delhi exploded, wounding an embassy staff member.

From Ozy

The 2001 grand jury indictment named 21 suspects as being involved in the U.S. embassy bombings, including Osama bin Laden.

From The Daily Beast

On May 9, which Moscow commemorates as World War II “Victory Day,” Klaus paid a highly visible visit to the Russian Embassy.

From The Daily Beast

The Greek embassy confirmed the death, which has barely registered by the international press.

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. will reopen an embassy in Havana, meaning an ambassador will be appointed.

From The Daily Beast

I asked him to describe the U.S. mission that will likely revert back to the embassy it was more than a half century ago.

From The Daily Beast

His attitude was of course resented, and there was considerable feeling in Vienna against the French Embassy.

From Project Gutenberg

But he was not yet received back into full favour by the Emperor, and had to return to his embassy at Lisbon.

From Project Gutenberg

The embassy for Japan—with a gift, which shall not seem an acknowledgment—you say, could not be sent off last year, which is well.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Nicholas invited me to lunch at Therapia, where the Embassy was in residence in its summer quarters.

From Project Gutenberg

The embassy was the most magnificent that England had ever sent to any foreign court.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• commission
• consulate
• delegation
• ministry