pursuit

[per-soot]

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

pursuit

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursuit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursuit¹

C14: from Old French poursieute, from poursivre to prosecute, _pursue

Example Sentences

Beijing's pursuit of what is often called bulk data - large scale data sets which might contain financial, personal, health or other types of information - is what alarms Western security officials.

Read more on BBC

It’s unclear how the deputy got involved in the pursuit or when he notified the department he was back on duty.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As an institution dedicated to the pursuit of truth, my school must stand firm against moral relativism.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hollywood studios have for years been moving their productions to states and countries outside of California in pursuit of government subsidies that make filmmaking more economical.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Cooper has built a career out of these pursuits of raw truth.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplishment 
• activity 
• career 
• occupation 
• undertaking