ambition

American  

[am-bish-uhn] / æmˈbɪʃ ən /

noun

1. an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment.

   Too much ambition caused him to be disliked by his colleagues.

   Synonyms:

   longing , yearning , aspiration

2. the object, state, or result desired or sought after.

   The crown was his ambition.

   Synonyms:

   aim , goal

3. desire for work or activity; energy.

   I awoke feeling tired and utterly lacking in ambition.

   Synonyms:

   force , drive

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verb (used with object)

1. to seek after earnestly; aspire to.

ambition British  

/ æmˈbɪʃən /

noun

1. strong desire for success, achievement, or distinction

2. something so desired; goal; aim

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Other Word Forms

• ambitionless adjective
• ambitionlessly adverb
• preambition noun
• superambition noun

Etymology

Origin of ambition

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ambicio(u)n, from Middle French or directly from Latin ambitiōn- (stem of ambitiō ), equivalent to amb- ambi- + -i- “go” + -t- past participle suffix + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Sudanese authorities have encouraged Moscow’s ambitions, but, until now, remained coy about finalizing such a pact.

From The Wall Street Journal

By virtue of the Pentagon investigation, as well as rumors of his presidential ambitions, Kelly has received the lion’s share of attention.

From Salon

Regardless of whether Pathway fulfills its ambitions, it will at least get a chance to make its case to the market.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ambition had been to bring 13,000 delegates to Liverpool.

From BBC

There are, of course, limits to the ambition of togetherness.

From BBC

Related Words

• appetite
• aspiration
• desire
• energy
• enthusiasm
• hope
• initiative
• longing
• love
• lust
• passion
• pretension
• spirit
• vigor
• yearning
• zeal