obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈse-shən 

əb-

1

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

broadly : compelling motivation

an obsession with profits

has an obsession with gambling

2

: something that causes an obsession

Losing weight can be an obsession that results in the avoidance of certain foods.

obsessional

äb-ˈse-sh(ə-)nəl 

əb-

adjective

obsessionally adverb

Synonyms

• fetish
• fetich
• fixation
• idée fixe
• mania
• preoccupation
• prepossession

Examples of obsession in a Sentence

He was fascinated by the actress and tracking her every move had become an obsession.

She has an obsession about cleanliness.

Her concern about cleanliness approaches the level of obsession.

Money has become an obsession for him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Opponent Kamala Harris' campaign—which has repeatedly mocked Trump's obsession with crowd size during the 2024 election cycle—shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, of the partially empty 7,200-seat venue. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

This absurd claim is an extension of their relentless obsession to remove checks and balances within our government. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024

While streaming platforms like APMC and Netflix demonstrate the power of customer obsession, the real challenge lies in ensuring that every team member—not just those in customer success—is invested in the customer experience. —Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Across the country, Adler writes, the third degree arose as a response to a real rise in crime in the early twentieth century—and a media obsession with flashy crimes like bank robberies and anarchist bombings. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "control of a person by an evil spirit," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "siege, condition of a person possessed by a demon," borrowed from Latin obsessiōn, obsessiō "act of besieging, blockade" (Late Latin, "possession by a demon"), from obsidēre "to occupy, besiege, beset" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at obsess

Note: See note at obsess.

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈsesh-ən 

əb-

: a disturbing concern with an idea or feeling that cannot be put out of mind even when it is seen to be unreasonable

also : such a thought or feeling

Medical Definition

obsession

noun

ob·​ses·​sion äb-ˈsesh-ən, əb- 

: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling

also : something that causes such preoccupation compare compulsion, phobia

obsessional

-ˈsesh-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective