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

The film covers the prophesied pregnancy of Mary’s mother, Anne (Hilla Vidor), Mary’s time studying in Jerusalem and King Herod’s obsession with the foretold savior. —Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Opening up about her first experience with negative body image, the 22-year-old musician shared in a cover story interview with Complex on Thursday, Dec. 5 that her obsession with Brandy Melville as a kid heavily impacted her self-image. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

In death, Hamilton has remained something of an obsession for Isaac, who has frequently made mocking comments about his contemporary over the show’s four seasons. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 5 Dec. 2024

But Basic Now, watch Suni Lee's gold medal-worthy makeup routine: Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place! —Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 5 Dec. 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