pursuit

American  

[per-soot] / pərˈsut /

noun

1. the act of pursuing.

   in pursuit of the fox.

   Synonyms:

   hunt, chase

2. an effort to secure or attain; quest.

   the pursuit of happiness.

   Synonyms:

   search

3. any occupation, pastime, or the like, in which a person is engaged regularly or customarily.

   literary pursuits.

   Synonyms:

   inclination, preoccupation, activity

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pursuit British  

/ pəˈsjuːt /

noun

1. 1. the act of pursuing, chasing, or striving after

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pursuit plane

2. an occupation, hobby, or pastime

3. (in cycling) a race in which the riders set off at intervals along the track and attempt to overtake each other

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Etymology

Origin of pursuit

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French purseute, from Vulgar Latin prōsequita (unrecorded), from Latin prōsecūta, feminine of prōsecūtus “followed,” past participle of prōsequī “to follow, continue”; pursue

Example Sentences

These two don’t always align: Many investors avoid stocks out of fear of losing money, while others take on more risk than necessary in pursuit of higher returns.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

For longevity seekers like Scott and Chitwood, the reasons behind their pursuit is simple: They see the way older people deteriorate, and they want to ensure they avoid that fate.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

The partially disassembled research reactor, nicknamed “Norm,” is the latest design in a decadeslong pursuit by TAE to create a star on Earth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

In his pursuit of answers, Roher employs a cloying framework: his loving wife occasionally narrating as if this were a storybook and Roher the protagonist of a scary adventure.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

The lieutenant kept up his relentless pursuit of Kelley.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Related Words

• accomplishment
• activity
• career
• occupation
• undertaking