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

Wherever possible, quantify your achievements with metrics and include recognizable brands or clients. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

LaBute, whose filmography includes In the Company of Men (1997), Your Friends & Neighbors (1998), Nurse Betty (2000), Some Velvet Morning (2013), and House of Darkness (2022), will also receive a lifetime achievement honor at the fest. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

When Brazil ratified the agreement, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described it not as a trade policy achievement but as a reaffirmation of multilateralism in an era of unilateral tariffs. — Jonas Nahm, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Given the questions surrounding the Braves’ starting pitching plan beyond ace Chris Sale, securing a wild-card bye would be a monumental achievement for these NL East leaders. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 14 Sep. 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