noun
embassy
EHM-buh-see
noun
1
The official group of diplomats representing one country's government in another country, along with the building they work from.
"She renewed her passport at the embassy downtown."
"Protesters gathered outside the foreign embassy."
How to Use Embassy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA country's official diplomatic office (and the people and building that make it up) in another country's capital.
Common mistake
An embassy is a country's main diplomatic mission in a capital city; a consulate handles more routine services (like visas) and can be in other cities too.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
at the embassy
foreign embassy
embassy staff
Word Forms
embassies plural
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She renewed her passport at the _____ downtown.
Etymology
From French ambassee, tracing back through Old Italian and Old Occitan to a Gaulish word for "servant" or "one sent on a mission".