obsession

American  

[uhb-sesh-uhn] / əbˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

1. the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.

2. the idea, image, desire, feeling, etc., itself.

3. the state of being obsessed. obsessed.

4. the act of obsessing.

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obsession British  

/ əbˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. psychiatry a persistent idea or impulse that continually forces its way into consciousness, often associated with anxiety and mental illness

2. a persistent preoccupation, idea, or feeling

3. the act of obsessing or the state of being obsessed

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obsession Cultural  

1. A preoccupation with a feeling or idea. In psychology, an obsession is similar to a compulsion.

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Other Word Forms

• nonobsession noun
• nonobsessional adjective
• obsessional adjective
• obsessionally adverb
• self-obsession noun

Etymology

Origin of obsession

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin obsessiōn-, stem of obsessiō “blockade, siege,” from obsess(us) “occupied, besieged” (past participle of obsidēre “to occupy, besiege”; obsess ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

That limited its usefulness in the U.S.—and became Charles Goodyear’s obsession.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

What’s going on with the obsession with reviving archaic occupations, like learning from artisans fixing old shoes?

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

If companies beat targets and issue solid guidance, it should ease the market’s obsession with oil and set the stage for a recovery.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

So on his new record, “Octane,” the Houston rapper recenters his car obsession and turns to his need for speed as sonic inspiration.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

After that, hounded by what happened in a Philippine jungle and the ghosts of a thousand men who didn’t escape it, his steadfast disdain for cowardice turned to obsession.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• compulsion
• delusion
• enthusiasm
• fascination
• infatuation
• mania
• passion
• phobia
• preoccupation