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

Following the parade, Mamdani will host a championship ceremony at City Hall where the team will receive Keys to the City, a recognition in honor of their historic achievement. —Mark Morales, CNN Money, 18 June 2026

Mobutu spoke of great achievements, the pride at being the first Black African team at a World Cup, even how good the Zaire yellow shirts (which Mobutu apparently had a hand in designing) looked against their skin. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026

The Television Academy charges a processing fee plus a per-person entry fee for individual achievement categories, with active and associate members eligible for a limited waiver on up to two entries. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 June 2026

Some schools and colleges have closed DEI offices and abandoned efforts to close achievement gaps between white students and their Black and Latino peers. —Alia Wong, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026

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