pursuit

[ per-soot ]

noun

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

pursuit

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursuit¹

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”; pursue

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursuit¹

C14: from Old French poursieute, from poursivre to prosecute, pursue

Example Sentences

“They are deeply intertwined. We must be true partners in the pursuit of justice, united by a shared commitment to safety and mutual respect.”

From Los Angeles Times

It said it hoped they are also looking at "every appropriate avenue to them in their pursuit of justice", including the police "or the Fayed family and estate".

From BBC

And the terrorists that came after him — like Payton Gendron, the self-declared “eco-fascist” who killed 10 Black shoppers in a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, in 2022 and described his crime as a pursuit of “green nationalism.”

From Salon

In the episode, he detailed his rise to be a unit leader, after surviving a near-fatal injury when he was hit by a car during a foot pursuit of an armed suspect.

From Los Angeles Times

Parts of Elisabeth’s story did hit me deeply, namely, the violence we can have against ourselves in the pursuit of some idea of perfection.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplishment
• activity
• career
• occupation
• undertaking