achievement

noun

achieve·​ment ə-ˈchēv-mənt 

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

Synonyms of achievement

• success
• accomplishment

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

If a player winds up with more stickers than can fit on the helmet, the achievement is recorded elsewhere. —Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026

One of ViaSat's most significant achievements was the successful launch in November of its second of three ViaSAT-3 satellites, which will start servicing the Americas next year. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025

Venerable said the goal was not to frame Black cowboy history only through pain or exclusion, but through endurance and achievement, including families – like his own —who stayed connected to land and livestock long after emancipation. —Kansas City Star, 31 Dec. 2025

This is a pretty high achievement to be selected for this team. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing achievement

• sense of achievement

Rhymes for achievement

• bereavement
• underachievement

Kids Definition

achievement

noun

achieve·​ment ə-ˈchēv-mənt 

1

: the act of achieving

2

: something achieved