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

• 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

In Wright’s case, that includes being able to support her family during the move and helping her teenage daughter get settled into her routines—an achievement that resonates with Krug’s message about making space for more things that matter. —Gabrielle Gayagoy Gonzalez, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

His achievement not only broke his own previous record of 282 half-marathons in 12 months, between 2022 and 2023, but also earned him a world title, according to news agency SWNS. —Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025

This far exceeds the fundraising achievements of any other European launch startup. —ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025

For me, that's more important than any trophy or achievement: finding a project where the driver feels truly motivated. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 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