ambassador

[ am-bas-uh-der, -dawr ]

noun

1. a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative ambassadorextraordinaryandplenipotentiary.
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.

ambassador

/ 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. ambassador extraordinary
   a diplomatic minister of the highest rank sent on a special mission
3. ambassador plenipotentiary
   a diplomatic minister of the first rank with treaty-signing powers
4. ambassador-at-large
   an ambassador with special duties who may be sent to more than one government
5. an authorized representative or messenger

Usage

The gender-neutral form is ambassador

Derived Forms

• ambassadorial, adjective
• amˈbassadress, noun:feminine
• amˈbassadorˌship, noun

Other Words From

• am·bas·sa·do·ri·al [am-bas-, uh, -, dawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, dohr, -], adjective
• am·bassa·dori·al·ly adverb
• am·bassa·dor·ship noun
• pream·bassa·dori·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambassador¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambassador¹

C14: from Old French ambassadeur, from Italian ambasciator, from Old Provençal ambaisador, from ambaisa (unattested) mission, errand; see embassy

Example Sentences

Shortly after being announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Israel, the former Republican governor of Arkansas said: “I won't make the policy. I will carry out the policy of the president.”

From BBC

Tal Schneider, a political correspondent at the Times of Israel, says it is not a foregone conclusion that a pro-settler US ambassador will result in pro-settler policies in Washington.

From BBC

Palestinians, already disillusioned with the US over Joe Biden’s support for Israel during the war in Gaza, say Trump’s pick for ambassador suggests the next president will make the prospect of an eventual two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict even more remote.

From BBC

Netanyahu’s decision to nominate a hardline settler leader for Israeli ambassador to Washington three days after Trump’s election also indicates that the prime minister believes the next administration will be receptive to right-wing arguments.

From BBC

Mike “There’s really no such thing as a Palestinian” Huckabee is nominated as ambassador to Israel.

From Los Angeles Times