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

And that became my obsession during the writing of the script. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025

The teaser shows Joe (Penn Badgley) returning to New York City, walking through Mooney's Bookstore and reminiscing about his first obsession, Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail). —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Its power has been blown out of proportion precisely through the obsession, devotion, fixation through which it is regarded. —Marlene Engelhorn, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025

Recipe tested by Sarah Brekke, MS Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 8 mins Slow Cook Time: 3 hrs Total Time: 3 hrs 28 mins Servings: 4 Jump to Nutrition Facts Mississippi pot roast kicked off our obsession with the flavor combination of ranch dressing and pepperoncini peppers. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2025

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