ambassador

American  

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

Archaic, embassador

noun

• ambassadors
  plural

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  

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ambassadors
  plural

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

See Examples For:

ambassador ambassadors

South Korea has said it will recall its ambassador to Ukraine, the latest escalation in a diplomatic spat between both countries.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

"Despite Seoul's decision to recall its ambassador, Ukraine remains open to restoring a constructive dialogue -- even if it takes time," Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy told reporters.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

Then-US ambassador, Michael Gonzales, rejected that account as false.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Guilfoyle’s interactions with Deters grew more frequent in the months after she was nominated as ambassador to Greece in December 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

For a fleeting moment she wondered if Mother would consider buying an ambassador a pair of high-heeled shoes.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

But the back and forth, part of a tranche of hundreds of messages, emails and letters reviewed by the Journal, raises new questions about the activities of one of America’s most high-profile ambassadors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

The house has also taken on male ambassadors this year, including actor Pedro Pascal, but still has no officially designated men's line.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

The King will continue to host a range of events at the palace, from state banquets and garden parties to receptions and audiences with the prime minister and new ambassadors.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

The four players traveled from Los Angeles to Australia as goodwill ambassadors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

My father rushed in, announcing the arrival of the ambassadors from Norway and promising, upon their departure, his own news of great importance concerning Hamlet’s recent disposition.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein