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

China's ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun and other Chinese diplomats greeted the passengers at the airport, Xinhua news agency said.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Tehran’s ambassador refuses to leave Beirut, as if he owns the place.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The California lawmaker also noted that members of Congress have sought testimony from the King's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as Peter Mandelson, the UK's former ambassador to the US, about their ties to Epstein.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Iran's ambassador will not leave Lebanon despite being declared persona non grata and ordered to quit the country, an Iranian diplomatic source has told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

“This party. Yes. It will be the perfect setting for me to speak candidly with the ambassador and enlist his help. When and where is it?”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin