ambition
noun
am·bi·tion
| \ am-ˈbi-shən
\
\
Definition of ambition
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power
With her talent and fierce ambition, she became a very successful actress.
b
: desire to achieve a particular end
2
: the object of ambition
Her ambition is to start her own business.
3
US
: a desire for activity or exertion
felt sick and had no ambition
ambition
verb
ambitioned;
ambitioning;
ambitions
Definition of ambition (Entry 2 of 2)
: to have as one's ambition : desire
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Other Words from ambition
Noun
ambitionless
\ -ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for ambition
Synonyms: Noun
ambitiousness, aspiration, go-getting
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Examples of ambition in a Sentence
Noun
My first ambition as a child was to be in the circus. He lacked ambition and couldn't compete with the others.Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Your drive and ambition never cease to amaze me and your heart is filled with love & empathy for others. — Jasmine Grant, Essence, "New Love Alert! Kenny Lattimore and Judge Faith Jenkins Are Engaged," 3 Sep. 2019 This is not the first time China has been suspected of involvement in large-scale DDoS attacks, once again indicating the gap between the country’s ambition to have more of a say on cyberspace and the suspicion the global community has toward it. — Jane Li, Quartz, "A Hong Kong protester site says cyber attacks against it piggy-backed off China’s Baidu," 2 Sep. 2019 That is one more reason—on top of the need to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions—to hope that there is more to Mr Macron’s diplomatic efforts than G7 summit showmanship. — The Economist, "New fronts open up in the conflict between Israel and Iran," 29 Aug. 2019 But the flexible nature of her job as an independent business owner for Amway has allowed the two important sides of her life — family obligations and career ambition — to seamlessly coexist. — Stephanie Walden, USA TODAY, "How one mom cultivated confidence and balance by starting her own business," 28 Aug. 2019 With the rest of his goons en route to Hungary, Logan tasks Shiv with shutting down Connor’s presidential ambitions. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Succession Game of Thrones Sees an Unlikely Contender Emerge," 26 Aug. 2019 Brittany takes a job as a house sitter and dog-walker, and soon learns there’s a third-shift sitter (Utkarsh Ambudkar) of minimal ambition but detectable gallantry. — Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, "‘Brittany Runs a Marathon’ review: Jillian Bell excels as a trainwreck who gets back on the rails," 26 Aug. 2019 The impact the former has on self-esteem can affect everything from disordered eating to personal ambition. — Kate Harding, Teen Vogue, "How Far Have We Really Come for Fat Acceptance?," 26 Aug. 2019 This isn’t the first time Konnyu’s political ambitions have outreached his wallet, with fundraising woes cutting short his stated plans to challenge Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein in 2018 and then-Lt. — John Wildermuth, SFChronicle.com, "Ernie Konnyu’s congressional run ends almost as soon as it started," 25 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
But the Kushners’ empire, like Trump’s, was underwritten by years of dealing in much more modestly ambitioned properties. — Alec Macgillis/propublica, New York Times, "Jared Kushner’s Other Real Estate Empire," 23 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ambition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for ambition
ambition
noun
English Language Learners Definition of ambition
: a particular goal or aim : something that a person hopes to do or achieve
: a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous
US
: a desire to do things and be active
See the full definition for ambition in the English Language Learners Dictionary
ambition
noun
am·bi·tion
| \ am-ˈbi-shən
\
\
Kids Definition of ambition
1
: a desire for success, honor, or power
2
: something a person hopes to do or achieve
My ambition is to become a jet pilot.
3
: the drive to do things and be active
I'm tired and have no ambition.