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

In just three weeks the largest celebration of filmmaking achievements will be held, the Oscars. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

Amid our age of attention deficits, Isbell’s achievements carry significant weight, particularly in a time when expectations for lavish spectacles continue to grow and lyric prompters, pre-recorded vocals and backing tracks are increasingly commonplace. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

The band followed the Rumble with another unlikely achievement, winning 2024 Country Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards. —Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025

Bell High’s baseball team will be hard-pressed to top last season’s historic achievement winning the school’s first City Section Open Division championship at Dodger Stadium after not being in an upper division final since 1953. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 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

Kids Definition

achievement

noun

achieve·​ment ə-ˈchēv-mənt 

1

: the act of achieving

2

: something achieved