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

Each Super Sport 300+ bears a plaque commemorating the historic achievement at Ehra-Lessien. —Sean Evans, Robb Report, 9 Dec. 2025

Special achievement honorees will be announced at a later date. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 9 Dec. 2025

The achievement came less than three years after the company was founded in February 2023, setting a new benchmark in the country’s fast-growing humanoid sector. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025

The Golden Globes announced the category in May ahead of 2026's first major awards show, honoring achievements in film and television. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 8 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