obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈse-shən 

əb-

1

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

broadly : compelling motivation

an obsession with profits

has an obsession with gambling

He's concerned about cleanliness to the point of obsession.

2

: something that causes an obsession

Losing weight can be an obsession that results in the avoidance of certain foods.

obsessional

äb-ˈse-sh(ə-)nəl 

əb-

adjective

obsessionally adverb

Synonyms of obsession

• problem
• fascination
• preoccupation
• fixation
• fetish
• mania
• enthusiasm

Examples of obsession in a Sentence

He was fascinated by the actress and tracking her every move had become an obsession.

She has an obsession about cleanliness.

Her concern about cleanliness approaches the level of obsession.

Money has become an obsession for him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their new peanut puffs, which come in both original peanut butter and peanut butter and strawberry variations, are our team’s current obsession. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026

Morphology filings spiked sharply starting in 2023, right when humanoids went from lab curiosity to venture-capital obsession. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Frequent checking throughout the day is the clearest signal that tracking has tipped into an obsession, shifting focus away from intuitive health habits and overall wellbeing. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

His three-day sentencing hearing featured emotional victim impact statements, tapes of his confessions to police and insights into his twisted desire for infamy and obsession with school shooters. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "control of a person by an evil spirit," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "siege, condition of a person possessed by a demon," borrowed from Latin obsessiōn, obsessiō "act of besieging, blockade" (Late Latin, "possession by a demon"), from obsidēre "to occupy, besiege, beset" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at obsess

Note: See note at obsess.

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for obsession

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• oppression
• possession

Kids Definition

obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈsesh-ən 

əb-

: a disturbing concern with an idea or feeling that cannot be put out of mind even when it is seen to be unreasonable

also : such a thought or feeling

Medical Definition

obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb- 

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

also : something that causes such preoccupation compare compulsion, phobia

obsessional

-ˈsesh-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective