ambassador

American  

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

Archaic, embassador

noun

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  

/ æmˌbæsəˈdɔːrɪəl, 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

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

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; embassy, -ator

Example Sentences

Sir Keir has insisted he did not know the depth and extent of the peer's relationship with Epstein when he gave him the job as ambassador in December 2024.

From BBC

Their connections to the late financier have seen both men lose positions, with Mountbatten-Windsor stripped of his royal titles and Lord Mandelson sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US.

From BBC

Any dialogue would need to respect Cuba’s sovereignty and its “right to self-determination,” the ambassador said.

From Los Angeles Times

A due diligence document sent to the PM on 11 December 2024 - nine days before he was confirmed as ambassador - raised a number of issues which could pose a "reputational risk".

From BBC

Poole, now a youth ambassador for Guide Dogs for the Blind,, external credits Pickle with getting her confidence back and helping her live more independently.

From BBC