ambassador

am·bas·sa·dor

noun
\am-ˈba-sə-dər, əm-, im-, -ˌdȯr, -ˈbas-dər\

Definition of AMBASSADOR

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

Examples of AMBASSADOR

1. Embassy officials met with the ambassador.
2. <a beloved entertainer who has often been sent abroad by the president as his country's goodwill ambassador>

Origin of AMBASSADOR

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AMBASSADOR

Synonyms: agent, delegate, emissary, envoy, legate, minister, representative

Related Words: ambassadress; attaché, chargé d'affaires, consul, deputy, diplomat, foreign minister, nuncio, procurator, proxy; apostle, evangelist, missionary; deputation, detachment, legation; courier, messenger; mouthpiece, spokesperson

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Other Foreign Functionary Terms

count, despot, emir, wardrobe, yeoman