embassy
B2Formal, Political, Diplomatic
Definition
Meaning
The official residence and offices of an ambassador and their staff in a foreign country.
A diplomatic mission; a group of officials, led by an ambassador, representing a government abroad.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the institution and the building housing it. Also used to refer to the entire diplomatic mission or delegation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None in core meaning or usage. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., 'ambassadorial').
Connotations
Identical formal and political connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Identical high frequency in both contexts of international relations and news.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the [Nationality] embassyat the embassyinside the embassy compoundan embassy official statedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Embassy row (a street in a capital city where many embassies are located)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in international business contexts when dealing with visas, trade delegations, or governmental liaison.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and history.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel, visas, or international news events.
Technical
Specific term in diplomacy and international law.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The term 'embassy' is not used as a verb.
American English
- The term 'embassy' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Ambassadorial functions are carried out diplomatically.
American English
- The message was delivered diplomatically, through embassy channels.
adjective
British English
- Ambassadorial (e.g., ambassadorial residence)
- Diplomatic (e.g., diplomatic corps)
American English
- Ambassadorial (e.g., ambassadorial duties)
- Diplomatic (e.g., diplomatic pouch)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We went to the embassy to get a visa.
- The embassy is a big building.
- You need to contact your country's embassy if you lose your passport abroad.
- The American embassy is located in the city centre.
- Following the coup, the embassy advised all citizens to leave the country immediately.
- She works as a cultural attaché at the French embassy.
- The ambassador convened a press conference at the embassy to denounce the host country's actions.
- The security services were monitoring all communications in and out of the foreign embassy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the letters 'EMB' standing for 'Extra-territorial Mission Building'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EMBASSY IS A SOVEREIGN ISLAND (It represents a piece of the home country's territory on foreign soil).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'посольство' (correct translation) and 'консульство' (consulate). An embassy is the main diplomatic representation, usually in a capital city, while a consulate handles more practical matters like visas and is often in major cities.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'consulate' interchangeably with 'embassy'. Misspelling as 'embasy' or 'embacy'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary difference between an embassy and a consulate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'embassy' is solely a noun. The related verb is 'to ambassador' does not exist; one 'serves as an ambassador'.
Countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations (e.g., UK, Canada, Australia, India) exchange 'High Commissions' instead of 'Embassies' with each other. The functions are identical; it's a terminological distinction based on historical ties.
No, the ambassador's private residence is usually called the 'ambassadorial residence'. The 'embassy' refers specifically to the official offices and diplomatic mission.
This is a common misconception. Embassies are not legally the territory of the sending state; they enjoy special protection and immunity (inviolability) under international law (Vienna Convention), but they remain part of the host country's territory.
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