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a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary)
a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.
a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country’s mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.
an authorized messenger or representative.
Abbreviation: Amb., amb.
Contemporary Examples

An Israeli journalist contacted by The Daily Beast said she personally spoke to the ambassador and that he was safe.
Jordan in the Crosshairs Salameh Nematt January 13, 2010

Last year, President Bush tapped the former ambassador to Columbia, William Wood, to become U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
How Opium Can Save Afghanistan Reza Aslan December 18, 2008

The famously prickly former U.N. ambassador has served several presidents, but he’s never held elected office.
John Bolton for President in 2012? Lloyd Grove January 3, 2011

Egypt expelled the Turkish ambassador last year, prompting Ankara to declare the Egyptian envoy in Turkey persona non grata.
Turkey Takes in ‘Terrorists’ from the Muslim Brotherhood Thomas Seibert September 18, 2014

How Egan formed a friendship with North Korean officials such as ambassador Han is a bizarre and improbable tale.
The North Korea Whisperer: Rib-Cooking New Jersey Restaurateur Bobby Egan R.M. Schneiderman December 21, 2011

Historical Examples

The ambassador was leaning forward, glaring at him, his face a mottled crimson.
The Yillian Way John Keith Laumer

He gives his ambassador a sum on which a private gentleman can live, and no more.
Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 Various

At last the news was spread that the duke had sent an ambassador.
Chicot the Jester Alexandre Dumas, Pere

I know the ambassador; if you do not wish to meet him, I will intercept him.
Jennie Baxter, Journalist Robert Barr

Take the ambassador to the reception-room and tell him that I shall wait on him at once.
Louisa Of Prussia and Her Times Louise Muhlbach

noun
short for ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary; a diplomatic minister of the highest rank, accredited as permanent representative to another country or sovereign
ambassador extraordinary, a diplomatic minister of the highest rank sent on a special mission
ambassador plenipotentiary, a diplomatic minister of the first rank with treaty-signing powers
(US) ambassador-at-large, an ambassador with special duties who may be sent to more than one government
an authorized representative or messenger
n.

late 14c., also embassador, from Middle French ambassadeur, from Old French embassator, via Provençal or Old Spanish from Latin ambactus “a servant, vassal,” from Celtic amb(i)actos “a messenger, servant,” from PIE *ambhi- “about” (see ambi-) + *ag- “drive, lead” (see act (v.)). Cf. embassy. Forms in am- and em- were used indiscriminately 17c.-18c.

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word _tsir_, meaning “one who goes on an errand,” is rendered thus (Josh. 9:4; Prov. 13:17; Isa. 18:2; Jer. 49:14; Obad. 1:1). This is also the rendering of _melits_, meaning “an interpreter,” in 2 Chr. 32:31; and of _malak_, a “messenger,” in 2 Chr. 35:21; Isa. 30:4; 33:7; Ezek. 17:15. This is the name used by the apostle as designating those who are appointed by God to declare his will (2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 6:20). The Hebrews on various occasions and for various purposes had recourse to the services of ambassadors, e.g., to contract alliances (Josh. 9:4), to solicit favours (Num. 20:14), to remonstrate when wrong was done (Judg. 11:12), to condole with a young king on the death of his father (2 Sam. 10:2), and to congratulate a king on his accession to the throne (1 Kings 5:1). To do injury to an ambassador was to insult the king who sent him (2 Sam. 10:5).