achievement

noun achieve·ment \ ə-ˈchēv-mənt \

|Updated on: 4 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: achievement in a Sentence

Definition of achievement

1 : the act of achieving something

the achievement of an ambition

2 a : a result gained by effort : accomplishment

being honored for her academic achievements

a major scientific achievement

b : a great or heroic deed

3 : the quality and quantity of a student's work

standardized tests to measure achievement

See achievement defined for English-language learners

See achievement defined for kids

Examples of achievement in a Sentence

The discovery of DNA was a major scientific achievement.
It was a great achievement.
Getting the project done on time was a real achievement.

Recent Examples of achievement from the Web

Design awards are distributed, along with acknowledgements for excellence in journalism, creative vision, personal style, and lifetime achievement.

— michaela bechler, Vogue, "What to Do Before or After Your Visit to the Brooklyn Museum," 1 June 2018
This quietly heroic achievement makes her no less a feminist than her mother.

— elizabeth lowry, WSJ, "The Mother of Frankenstein," 1 June 2018
With their support, Mr Trump imposed the toughest sanctions regime on North Korea in over a decade, a substantial achievement.

— The Economist, "John Bolton, the world’s hope," 31 May 2018
The Theranos fraud was enormous, and Elizabeth Holmes’ achievement should rest in the annals of scam forever.

— caille millner, San Francisco Chronicle, "Is a sucker really born every minute? The Bay Area will find out," 31 May 2018
Kennedy was one of more than two dozen officers to receive recognition that included other lifesaving awards, unit commendations and chief’s achievements.

— peter marteka, Courant Community, "Glastonbury Police Recognized For Excellence, Heroism On The Job," 30 May 2018
The Saudi's made it to the first knockout in 1994 (their tournament best), and matching that will be seen as an achievement.

— SI.com, "2018 FIFA World Cup Team Preview: Analysing Saudi Arabia's Chances at the Tournament," 30 May 2018
Despite the early achievement, Millen indicated he isn't worried about what this means for his future, or what the offer will do to his recruiting profile.

— andrew nemec, OregonLive.com, "Clay Millen, 2021 QB and brother of Ducks commit, calls Oregon offer 'absolute shock'," 30 May 2018
All three program coaches thanked parents for instilling in their children the values of hard word, discipline and personal achievement.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Wharton County Junior College recognizes outstanding student athletes at annual banquet," 30 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'achievement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of achievement

borrowed from Anglo-French achevement, from achever "to achieve" + -ment -ment

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

achievement Synonyms

Phrases

a feather in one's cap;

Synonym Discussion of achievement

feat, exploit, achievement mean a remarkable deed. feat implies strength or dexterity or daring.

- an acrobatic feat

exploit suggests an adventurous or heroic act.

- his exploits as a spy

achievement implies hard-won success in the face of difficulty or opposition.

- her achievements as a chemist

ACHIEVEMENT Defined for English Language Learners

achievement

noun

Definition of achievement for English Language Learners

: something that has been done or achieved through effort : a result of hard work
: the act of achieving something : the state or condition of having achieved or accomplished something