# achievement

/əˈtʃivmənt/ (US) · /ɐtʃˈiːvmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/achievement
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a success

noun · CEFR B1

something you succeed in doing, especially after a lot of work or effort.

For teachers: the successful completion of a task or goal, often implying the application of skill or perseverance.

- Winning the scholarship was a great achievement for the young student.
- The completion of the bridge ahead of schedule was a remarkable achievement for the engineering team, given the harsh weather conditions.

### 2. a heroic deed

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

a very brave or impressive action.

For teachers: a feat of great valor, boldness, or heroic proportions.

- The history books record the achievements of the explorers who first crossed the mountains.
- The knight's achievements on the battlefield were celebrated in songs and poems for generations to come.

### 3. video games

noun · CEFR B1

a digital reward you get for finishing a specific task in a video game.

For teachers: a virtual award or badge granted to a player for completing a specific objective or reaching a milestone within a video game.

- I finally unlocked the achievement for finding all the hidden items in the game.
- Hardcore players often spend hundreds of hours attempting to unlock every single achievement available in the expansion pack.

### 4. linguistics

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of verb that describes an action happening in a single moment.

For teachers: a lexical aspect (aktionsart) describing a predicate that involves a change of state occurring instantaneously.

- In the sentence 'He reached the top,' the verb is an achievement because it happens in one moment.
- Linguists distinguish achievements from accomplishments by noting that the former lack a duration phase and represent a near-instantaneous transition.

Usage: Used in the study of semantics to distinguish verbs like 'reach' or 'win' from continuous actions.

### 5. heraldry

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

a full display of a family's coat of arms.

For teachers: a complete heraldic display including the shield, crest, supporters, and motto.

- The stone achievement above the castle gate showed the family's history.
- The funeral achievement was displayed prominently in the chapel, showcasing the intricate lineage of the deceased earl.

## Examples

- Winning the race was a great achievement for her.
- The new hospital is a significant achievement for the local community and will save many lives.
- While individual brilliance is often celebrated, the landing on the moon remains a collective human achievement that required the coordination of thousands of specialists.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.