Main Entry: am·bas·sa·dor

Pronunciation: \am-ˈba-sə-dər, əm-, im-, -ˌdȯr, -ˈbas-dər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English ambassadour, from Anglo-French ambassateur, ultimately of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German ambaht service

Date: 14th century

1 : an official envoy; especially : a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment
2 a : an authorized representative or messenger b : an unofficial representative <traveling abroad as ambassadors of goodwill>

— am·bas·sa·do·ri·al \-ˌba-sə-ˈdȯr-ē-əl\ adjective

— am·bas·sa·dor·ship \-ˈba-sə-dər-ˌship\ noun