ambassador

[ am-bas-uh-der, -dawr ]

noun

1. a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative ambassadorextraordinaryandplenipotentiary.
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.

ambassador

/ æmˈbæsədə; æmˌbæsəˈdɔːrɪəl /

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. ambassador extraordinary
   ambassador extraordinary a diplomatic minister of the highest rank sent on a special mission
3. ambassador plenipotentiary
   ambassador plenipotentiary a diplomatic minister of the first rank with treaty-signing powers
4. ambassador-at-large
   ambassador-at-large an ambassador with special duties who may be sent to more than one government
5. an authorized representative or messenger

Usage

The gender-neutral form is ambassador

Derived Forms

• amˈbassadress, noun:feminine
• amˈbassadorˌship, noun
• ambassadorial, adjective

Other Words From

• am·bas·sa·do·ri·al [am-bas-, uh, -, dawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, dohr, -], adjective
• am·bassa·dori·al·ly adverb
• am·bassa·dor·ship noun
• pream·bassa·dori·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambassador¹

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; embassy, -ator

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambassador¹

C14: from Old French ambassadeur, from Italian ambasciator, from Old Provençal ambaisador, from ambaisa (unattested) mission, errand; see embassy

Example Sentences

A set of millennial cochairs, who serve as ambassadors, oversee the party planning—right down to the DJ—including the social media strategy and sponsor recruitment.

From Fortune

He’ll appear on-air with his own video categories, develop projects and act as a public ambassador for the show.

From Fortune

Your ambassadors will be responsible for all audio operations and can assist in accessibility usage for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

From Search Engine Watch

Just when I thought I’d get enough ambassadors on my side, I found myself losing all my tigers or awash in pollution.

From Science News

Board members have also signaled they might like to incorporate other types of security resources, such as homeless outreach workers or ambassadors who could help riders navigate the system rather than write tickets.

From Voice of San Diego

The spokesman also said that Ambassador King “did not view the movie and did not have any contact directly with Sony.”

From The Daily Beast

But an email dated July 10 from Ambassador King to Bennett (who then forwarded it to Lynton), says otherwise.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

He was eventually allowed to leave, but he was forced to resign as ambassador and now lives in Washington, effectively in exile.

From The Daily Beast

Ambassador Shirley Temple Black attributed this to the “deeply risk-averse psychology of the Czech people.”

From The Daily Beast

The spread of the holy gospel and uninterrupted preaching went on until the return of the ambassador.

From Project Gutenberg

At this part of the narrative, Louis turned his powerful eyes upon the ambassador.

From Project Gutenberg

But scarcely had the new ambassador arrived at his destination when he heard of Bonaparte's projected expedition to Egypt.

From Project Gutenberg

The prime-minister, the chancellor of the exchequer, two other members of the cabinet, and an ambassador were his companions.

From Project Gutenberg

From Lisbon the ambassador was summoned to attend the coronation of the Emperor and to take his place among the Marshals.

From Project Gutenberg