ambassador

American  

[am-bas-uh-der, -dawr] / æmˈbæs ə dər, -ˌdɔr /

Archaic, embassador

noun

1. a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative ambassadorextraordinaryandplenipotentiary.

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.

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ambassador British  

/ 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. a diplomatic minister of the highest rank sent on a special mission

3. a diplomatic minister of the first rank with treaty-signing powers

4. an ambassador with special duties who may be sent to more than one government

5. an authorized representative or messenger

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Usage

The gender-neutral form is ambassador

Other Word Forms

• ambassadorial adjective
• ambassadorially adverb
• ambassadorship noun
• ambassadress noun
• preambassadorial adjective

Etymology

Origin of ambassador

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; see embassy, -ator

Explanation

An ambassador is an official representative for his or her country, stationed in another nation, like Benjamin Franklin, who was an ambassador to France. Ambassador usually describes the official diplomatic envoy who represents one country to another. These ambassadors work to promote understanding, perhaps by settling differences or clearing up misunderstanding. Used less formally, an ambassador can be anyone who represents something, like a pop singer who is a "brand ambassador" for a cosmetics company.

Example Sentences

Douglas Tirola’s archival documentary highlights Leonard Bernstein as a conductor-composer as well as a celebrity, cultural ambassador and activist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Mexico has demanded an explanation about U.S. participation in the incident from Ronald Johnson, Washington’s ambassador in Mexico City.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

The two leaders have appeared at odds over the war in Iran, and Sir Keir has faced mounting pressure over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Fiji's ambassador to the United Nations, Filipo Tarakinikini, wrote on social media on Monday that the Vuda coast north of Nadi "must not become the Pacific's ashtray".

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

“After Karzai helped throw out the Soviets, he worked with the Taliban, until they turned on him. Karzai didn’t want to be their ambassador to the United Nations either.”

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai