Word
embassy
Phoneticsem·bassy
US/ˈɛmbəsi/
UK/ˈɛmbəsˌi/
Definitions
01the building
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the official building in a foreign country where an ambassador and their staff work.
n. the official residence or office of an ambassador and their diplomatic staff in a foreign capital.
“I had to go to the embassy to get a new passport after mine was stolen.”
“Protesters gathered outside the embassy gates to deliver a formal petition to the ambassador regarding the recent trade restrictions.”
02the group of officials
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a group of officials who represent their own country while living in another country.
n. a body of diplomatic representatives, led by an ambassador, who permanently represent a sovereign state in another state.
“The embassy held a party to celebrate their national holiday with local leaders.”
“The embassy issued a statement advising all citizens currently residing in the region to register their contact details with the consulate.”
Synonyms
03the role or mission
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the job or specific mission of an ambassador.
n. the function, duty, or specific mission entrusted to an ambassador or diplomatic envoy.
“He was sent on a special embassy to negotiate the peace treaty.”
“The success of the embassy depended entirely on the envoy's ability to navigate the complex social etiquette of the imperial court.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “embassy” in context.
Verb
01. picket the embassy
“Human rights activists gathered to picket the embassy in protest of the new laws.”
verb + noun
02. seek refuge in the embassy
“The dissident managed to seek refuge in the embassy to avoid arrest.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. storm the embassy
“Protesters attempted to storm the embassy during the political uprising.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. foreign embassy
“Diplomats from every foreign embassy were invited to the gala.”
adj + noun
05. heavily fortified embassy
“The heavily fortified embassy was designed to withstand significant attacks.”
adv + adj + noun
Noun
06. embassy official
“An embassy official confirmed that all citizens had been evacuated safely.”
noun + noun
07. embassy staff
“The embassy staff worked around the clock to process the emergency visas.”
noun + noun
Preposition
08. outside the embassy
“A large crowd had gathered outside the embassy to wait for news.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said "trade wars have no winners" and that it opposes the US tariff measures and the use of state power to target China's companies.” “China’s embassy in Washington, DC, did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of regular office hours.” “His brother – who owns the property – is a Palestinian-American businessman who had complained to the US embassy.” “The BBC has contacted the French embassy in the capital, Bangui, for comment.” Etymology
Modern variant of obsolete ambassy, from Middle French ambassee (“mission, embassy”), from Old French ambascee (also enbassee (“message for a high official, official mission”)) from Old Italian ambasciata, from Old Occitan ambaissada (“embassy”), derived from ambaissa (“message”), from Late Latin ambactia (“service rendered”) (attested also as ambascia, from Proto-Germanic ambahtiją (“service”), ambahtaz (“follower, servant”), from Gaulish ambaxtos (“dependant, vassal”, literally “one who is sent around”), from Proto-Celtic ambaxtos (“servant”), from Proto-Indo-European h₂m̥bʰi-h₂eǵ- (“drive around”); compare Latin ambactus, Old Irish amus, amsach (“mercenary, servant”), Welsh amaeth (“tenant farm”)). Doublet of ambassade.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
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