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embassy

American  
[em-buh-see] / ˈɛm bə si /

noun

plural

embassies

  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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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”); ambi-, amphi- ( def. ), act, ambassador

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Earlier this month, the UK's embassy in the country warned that "British nationals are subject to UAE laws, violations may lead to fines, imprisonment, or deportation."

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Beirut declared Mohammad Reza Shibani persona non grata, but he’s still there, at his embassy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

"The UK does not stand for intimidation of British embassy staff and their families," the British spokesperson added.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Lebanese officials said diplomatic practice prevents them from forcibly removing anyone from the embassy compound.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“Tomorrow is September seventh, and we still don’t have answers. Why did Willa meet with those Polish mathematicians? Why didn’t she leave with Olivia and the American embassy staff? We’ve got to figure this out!”

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.