pursuit

American  

[per-soot] / pərˈsut /

noun

pursuits plural

1. the act of pursuing.

   in pursuit of the fox.

   Synonyms:

   hunt, chase

2. an effort to secure or attain; quest.

   the pursuit of happiness.

   Synonyms:

   search

3. any occupation, pastime, or the like, in which a person is engaged regularly or customarily.

   literary pursuits.

   Synonyms:

   inclination, preoccupation, activity

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pursuit British  

/ pəˈsjuːt /

noun

1. 1. the act of pursuing, chasing, or striving after

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pursuit plane

2. an occupation, hobby, or pastime

3. (in cycling) a race in which the riders set off at intervals along the track and attempt to overtake each other

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pursuits
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pursuit

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French purseute, from Vulgar Latin prōsequita (unrecorded), from Latin prōsecūta, feminine of prōsecūtus “followed,” past participle of prōsequī “to follow, continue”; see pursue

Explanation

A pursuit is a chase or a quest for something. When a guard runs after an escaping jewel thief, she's in pursuit — while the thief may have stolen the jewels because he was in pursuit of wealth. Whether it's a police officer in a car chase or a student working towards a college degree at a university in the tropics, both can be considered in “hot pursuit.”  Derived from the Anglo-French purseute, pursuit means the act of pursuing or striving towards goals. In the late 14th century it implied persecution, but things have changed since then.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pursuit pursuits

He triumphed by two shots, with Min Woo Lee the runner-up as crowd favourite Bob MacIntyre faltered in pursuit of a second home title, ending four adrift alongside Matt Fitzpatrick.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

In a statement, Kirk's family said the hearing "marks an important step forward in the pursuit of justice."

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

After the contest, the singer continued her artistic pursuit, performing with a handful of bands including Bobby Wayne & the Dixies and, later, Imagination.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

But those close to Fery speak of a man who remains humble in his pursuit of carving his own path in life.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

Suddenly in the pursuit we reach the enemy line.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

The result is that people now see shared pursuits — a weekly tennis game, a book club, a knitting circle — as potential products to claim and monetize.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026

And I greatly admire his dedication to maintaining his physical abilities throughout the years and his philanthropic pursuits.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026

Many teens now prioritize coursework, test prep and other pursuits to impress college-admissions officers, but a lack of work experience is worsening their employment prospects after graduating.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 8, 2026

In the race for space, Musk wants investor attention on the stars—not earthbound pursuits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

The rest of the time, the time he was not watching his mother’s magic or thinking of airplanes, he spent in the idle pursuits of bachelors without work in small towns.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• accomplishment
• activity
• career
• occupation
• undertaking