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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.
a novel (1903) by Henry James.
Contemporary Examples

Recently, the White House has been pushing the speedy confirmation of ambassadors to countries Obama is set to visit.
Obama Confidant To Be Next Ambassador To South Korea Josh Rogin April 30, 2014

The basketball sneaker has a long and lucrative history, especially for the sportsmen who become the brands’ ambassadors.
How Sneaker Culture Conquered the World William O’Connor March 15, 2014

Many have been summoned by fashion companies to act as representatives, ambassadors, and promoters for different brands.
The Rise of Hijab Fashion Bloggers Vanessa Rosales May 20, 2013

The Right Place, Donald Harington; Rivers and Mountains, John Ashbery; The ambassadors, Henry James.
How I Write Family Edition: Emma Straub & Peter Straub Noah Charney August 28, 2012

Just as before, a couple of ambassadors will have tours curtailed because the host country resents their candid reporting.
WikiLeaks’ Harmful New Dump P.J. Crowley August 30, 2011

Historical Examples

Before the closing scene, the acts of the Council were finally agreed to and signed, “the ambassadors also adding their names.”
Tyrol and its People Clive Holland

China is represented at five of the principal nations of the world by ambassadors.
Four Young Explorers Oliver Optic

What took place in Narvaez’s quarters after the return to our camp of the ambassadors we had sent there.
The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Vol 1 (of 2) Bernal Diaz del Castillo

Why did the ambassadors’ Conference arrive at this peculiar decision?
The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume 2 Henry Baerlein

They only give the first class to crowned heads, you know—browned heads and ambassadors.
Mortal Coils Aldous Huxley

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).