What does "ambassador" mean?

1. (government diplomat) a high-ranking official sent by their country to live in a foreign country and represent their government there. 2. (brand or company representative) a person who is the public face of a company or brand and helps promote it. 3. (sports role model) a player who is a great example for others and helps make their sport more popular.

How do you use "ambassador"?

Often followed by the preposition 'to' (ambassador to Japan).

ambassador

US //æmˈbæsədɝ// UK //ɐmbˈæsədɐ// am·bas·sador

1 government diplomat (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

a high-ranking official sent by their country to live in a foreign country and represent their government there.

a diplomat of the highest rank sent to a foreign state as the resident representative of their own sovereign or government.

Example

The French ambassador met with the president to discuss the new trade deal.

Example

The newly appointed ambassador presented her credentials to the court, marking the formal commencement of her diplomatic mission in the capital.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'to' (ambassador to Japan).
2 brand or company representative (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a person who is the public face of a company or brand and helps promote it.

a person engaged by an organisation to promote its image and products through public appearances and social media.

Example

The famous actress became a brand ambassador for the luxury watch company.

Example

By selecting a young athlete as their global ambassador, the corporation successfully pivoted its marketing strategy toward a more active demographic.
- representative
- spokesperson

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3 sports role model (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Sport

a player who is a great example for others and helps make their sport more popular.

a sportsperson who exemplifies the integrity of the game and serves as a positive representative for the sport's growth.

Example

He was a true ambassador for tennis, always showing respect to his opponents.

Example

The retired captain was widely regarded as an ambassador for the league, frequently visiting youth academies to lecture on sportsmanship and professional ethics.
- role model
- representative

Origin

From Middle English ambassadore, from Anglo-Norman ambassadeur, from Old Italian ambassadore, from Old Occitan ambaisador (“ambassador”), derivative of ambaissa (“service, mission, errand”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic ambahtaz (“servant”), from Gaulish ambaxtos, from Proto-Celtic ambaxtos, from Proto-Indo-European h₂m̥bʰi-h₂eǵ- (“drive around”), from h₂m̥bʰi- (“around”) + *h₂eǵ- (“to drive”). Displaced native Old English ǣrendraca.