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

• success
• accomplishment

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

On the back of their most successful Premier League season, this outcome threatens to overshadow their outstanding achievement and the joy that came with it in the most unjust manner. —Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 11 July 2025

The tradition took hold and now includes other individual achievements that might otherwise get overlooked. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 July 2025

Perspective is necessary to understand the scale of the achievement. —David Ditch, National Review, 10 July 2025

Grit fuels long-term achievement more than talent or luck. —Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

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

Rhymes for achievement

• bereavement
• underachievement

Kids Definition

achievement

noun

achieve·​ment ə-ˈchēv-mənt 

1

: the act of achieving

2

: something achieved