embassy

[ em-buh-see ]

noun

, plural em·bas·sies.

1. a body of people entrusted with a mission to a sovereign or government, especially an ambassador and their staff.
2. the official headquarters of an ambassador.
3. the function or office of an ambassador.
4. a mission headed by an ambassador.

embassy

/ ˈɛmbəsɪ /

noun

1. the residence or place of official business of an ambassador
2. an ambassador and his entourage collectively
3. the position, business, or mission of an ambassador
4. any important or official mission, duty, etc, esp one undertaken by an agent

Word History and Origins

Origin of embassy¹

First recorded in 1570–80; variant of ambassy, from Middle French ambassee, Old French ambasce, ambaxee, ultimately from Old Provençal ambaissada, derivative of embayssar “to send a delegate,” from Medieval Latin ambasciāre, derivative of ambascia “service, office,” derivative, by a Germanic intermediary (compare Gothic andbahti, Old High German ambahti ) of Gallo-Latin ambactus “retainer, servant” (from Gaulish, equivalent to amb- “around, both” + -act- verbal adjective of unattested ag- “drive, lead”; compare Welsh amaeth “husbandman”); ambi-, amphi- ( def ), act, ambassador

Word History and Origins

Origin of embassy¹

C16: from Old French ambassee, from Old Italian ambasciata, from Old Provençal ambaisada, ultimately of Germanic origin; see ambassador

Example Sentences

"Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," it said in a statement.

From BBC

In his speech, he called the embassy "a spy nest of Russia".

From BBC

Posting on X, external, Free Lions, the FSA's fans' embassy team, said there is "still clearly so much needed" to ensure fans are not put in "unjustifiably dangerous situations".

From BBC

In a statement, the US embassy in Haiti said it was "aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince" and said the security situation in the country remained "unpredictable and dangerous".

From BBC

The Israeli embassy in the Netherlands earlier warned Israelis in Amsterdam to avoid Dam square, saying the event "may flare up into significant violent incidents".

From BBC

Related Words

• commission
• consulate
• delegation
• ministry