obsession

[ uhb-sesh-uhn ]

noun

1. the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.
2. the idea, image, desire, feeling, etc., itself.
3. the state of being obsessed. obsessed.
4. the act of obsessing.

obsession

/ əbˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. psychiatry a persistent idea or impulse that continually forces its way into consciousness, often associated with anxiety and mental illness
2. a persistent preoccupation, idea, or feeling
3. the act of obsessing or the state of being obsessed

obsession

1. A preoccupation with a feeling or idea. In psychology , an obsession is similar to a compulsion .

Derived Forms

• obˈsessionally, adverb
• obˈsessional, adjective

Other Words From

• ob·session·al adjective
• nonob·session noun
• nonob·session·al adjective
• self-ob·session noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsession¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin obsessiōn-, stem of obsessiō “blockade, siege,” from obsess(us) “occupied, besieged” (past participle of obsidēre “to occupy, besiege”; obsess ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

My brother has always had an obsession with Beef Wellington.

From Salon

Im’s adult son and daughter, who have never quite understood their father’s obsession, often ask him why he doesn’t just buy a building or two in Seoul and live comfortably off the rent.

From Los Angeles Times

She immediately ordered a Catwoman costume, but the obsession didn’t stop there.

From Los Angeles Times

Also, in one of his first appearances on the show, Hernández talks at length about his baseball obsession, which started in his hometown of Miami.

From Salon

The press hounded Stipe and the other band members about their private lives — Stipe’s sexual orientation became an obsession — which they have always resolutely kept private.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compulsion
• delusion
• enthusiasm
• fascination
• infatuation
• mania
• passion
• phobia
• preoccupation