ambit

[ am-bit ]

noun

1. a sphere of operation or influence; range; scope:

   the ambit of such an action.

2. boundary; limit.
3. circumference; circuit.

ambit

/ ˈæmbɪt /

noun

1. scope or extent
2. limits, boundary, or circumference

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambit¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ambitus “a going around,” equivalent to amb- ambi- + itus “a going” ( i- (stem of īre to go) + -tus suffix of verb action)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambit¹

C16: from Latin ambitus a going round, from ambīre to go round, from ambi- + īre to go

Example Sentences

By encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VI’s ambit, the bill sweeps too broadly.

From Slate

Ms Dobbin said on Tuesday, the first day of the hearing, that the original judge "rejected outright" that Mr Assange should be treated like a journalist "or what he did could fall under the ambit of responsible journalism".

From BBC

“The drafters of the Espionage Act did not intend for publishers to fall within its ambit,” Stella Assange wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

From Seattle Times

Before I moved to Los Angeles, I was a theater critic and editor for the Village Voice, where my ambit was principally the downtown theater scene.

From Los Angeles Times

“Clearly, criminal actions taken by a president well outside the ambit of his official responsibilities should receive no immunity.”

From Salon