achievement

noun

achieve·​ment ə-ˈchēv-mənt 

1

: the act of achieving something

the achievement of an ambition

2

a

: a result gained by effort : accomplishment

being honored for her academic achievements

a major scientific achievement

b

: a great or heroic deed

3

: the quality and quantity of a student's work

standardized tests to measure achievement

Synonyms

• accomplishment
• acquirement
• attainment
• baby
• coup
• success
• triumph

Choose the Right Synonym for achievement

feat, exploit, achievement mean a remarkable deed.

feat implies strength or dexterity or daring.

an acrobatic feat

exploit suggests an adventurous or heroic act.

his exploits as a spy

achievement implies hard-won success in the face of difficulty or opposition.

her achievements as a chemist

Examples of achievement in a Sentence

The discovery of DNA was a major scientific achievement.

It was a great achievement.

Getting the project done on time was a real achievement.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Cottage on Pelican Bay By Brenda Jackson Canary Street Press: 320 pages, $19 (Aug. 20) Jackson, whose accolades include a lifetime achievement award from the Romance Writers of America, delivers another scorcher. —Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024

And now, for the first time ever there will be a beer sponsor for an event that showcases the pinnacle of human sporting achievements. —Sarah Jacob, TIME, 31 May 2024

That said, the district’s test scores have improved overall since 2015, but budget cuts could risk the efforts to close the racial achievement gap and get all students up to grade level, said Rebecca LeDoux, President of the Twin Rivers United Educators. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 24 May 2024

Many people would be thrilled with that level of achievement and be happy to retire early, spending the rest of their days on an island somewhere. —Bydave Smith, Fortune, 22 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French achevement, from achever "to achieve" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing achievement

• sense of achievement

Kids Definition

achievement

noun

achieve·​ment ə-ˈchēv-mənt 

1

: the act of achieving

2

: something achieved