embassy

American  

[em-buh-see] / ˈɛm bə si /

noun

• embassies
  plural

1. a body of people entrusted with a mission to a sovereign or government, especially an ambassador and their staff.

2. the official headquarters of an ambassador.

3. the function or office of an ambassador.

4. a mission headed by an ambassador.

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embassy British  

/ ˈɛmbəsɪ /

noun

1. the residence or place of official business of an ambassador

2. an ambassador and his entourage collectively

3. the position, business, or mission of an ambassador

4. any important or official mission, duty, etc, esp one undertaken by an agent

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• embassies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of embassy

First recorded in 1570–80; variant of ambassy, from Middle French ambassee, Old French ambasce, ambaxee, ultimately from Old Provençal ambaissada, derivative of embayssar “to send a delegate,” from Medieval Latin ambasciāre, derivative of ambascia “service, office,” derivative, by a Germanic intermediary (compare Gothic andbahti, Old High German ambahti ) of Gallo-Latin ambactus “retainer, servant” (from Gaulish, equivalent to amb- “around, both” + -act- verbal adjective of unattested ag- “drive, lead”; compare Welsh amaeth “husbandman”); see origin at ambi-, amphi- ( def. ), act, ambassador

Explanation

An ambassador, a diplomat who represents her own country in a foreign country, lives and works in an embassy. Travelers sometimes visit their home country's embassy for help with their travel documents or other issues. If you've ever visited Washington, DC, you may have seen the French embassy or the Indian embassy. These buildings often resemble homes, which makes sense because ambassadors usually live in them. The word embassy first meant "job or position of the ambassador," and comes from the Old French ambasse, with its Latin root of ambactus, or "servant."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

embassy embassies

In a statement, the South Korean embassy in the U.S. said it hoped that the “friendly relationship” between Trump and Kim would lead to “meaningful dialogue” and advance stability on the Korean Peninsula.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

The BBC has contacted the French embassy in Bangui for comment.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

Italy’s embassy in Israel didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

It had been marketed as “perfect for a school or embassy or an exceptional private home.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

“Willa worked at the US embassy in London. Had done for about ten years, correct?”

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

They point to the growing number of countries which have conferred de facto recognition by clinching deals, accrediting diplomats, operating embassies, and more.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Once full of prerevolutionary mansions, it now houses many embassies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

US embassies across the Middle East - including the mission in Iraq - reposted the security alert for American nationals, warning of "unexpected escalation"

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

When asked, Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that Russia had "sent a notice to all the embassies", not just the US mission.

From Barron's ● May 26, 2026

On October 29, we again entered the Palace of Justice; again the crowds were large and excited; again the security was extremely tight; again the court was filled with dignitaries from many foreign embassies.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• commission
• consulate
• delegation
• ministry