Your pursuit of something is your attempts at achieving it. If you do something in pursuit of a particular result, you do it in order to achieve that result.
...a young man whose relentless pursuit of excellence is conducted with determination. [+ of]
...individuals who impoverish their families in pursuit of some dream.
2. uncountable noun
The pursuit of an activity, interest, or plan consists of all the things that you do when you are carrying it out.
The vigorous pursuit of policies is no guarantee of success. [+ of]
3. uncountable noun [usu inNof n]
Someone who is in pursuit of a person, vehicle, or animal is chasing them.
...a police officer who drove a patrol car at more than 120mph in pursuit of a motorcycle.
4. singular noun [theNOUN, oft NOUN noun]
In cycling and skating, the pursuit is a race in which two competitors or teams start on opposite sides of a circular track and try to catch up with each other.
Moreau took gold in the five-kilometre individual pursuit competition.
5. countable noun [usually plural]
Your pursuits are your activities, usually activities that you enjoy when you are not working.
They both love outdoor pursuits.
His favourite childhood pursuits were sailing, swimming and cycling.
Synonyms: occupation, activity, interest, line More Synonyms of pursuit
6.
See in hot pursuit
More Synonyms of pursuit
pursuit in British English
(pəˈsjuːt)
noun
1.
a.
the act of pursuing, chasing, or striving after
b.
(as modifier)
a pursuit plane
2.
an occupation, hobby, or pastime
3.
(in cycling) a race in which the riders set off at intervals along the track and attempt to overtake each other
Word origin
C14: from Old French poursieute, from poursivre to prosecute, pursue
pursuit in American English
(pərˈsut; pərˈsjut)
noun
1.
the act of pursuing
2.
an occupation, career, interest, etc. to which one devotes time and energy
Word origin
ME purseute < OFr poursuite
COBUILD Collocations
pursuit
leisure pursuit
solitary pursuit
Examples of 'pursuit' in a sentence
pursuit
We all deserve the pursuit of happiness.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
To suggest that students might opt out on grounds of conscience or sensitivity undermines the pursuit of academic excellence and is intellectually unsound.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The maker of a beer for dogs suggests that owners can enjoy summer pursuits with their pet.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We would like to see what outdoor pursuits the region has to offer.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He loved outdoor pursuits like fishing and climbing.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He will hope to win gold in the team pursuit on the track.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Was it the obsessive pursuit of profits to pay fat dividends to shareholders?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Troy jumps in his car and races away with the cops in hot pursuit.
The Sun (2012)
They had a huge capacity for hunger and pursuit of excellence.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He saw his work as an intellectual pursuit rather than something that he was involved with personally.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Age seems to have made him more energetic in pursuit of his dreams.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The pernicious theft of childhood in the pursuit of profits continues apace.
The Sun (2013)
The pursuit of happiness can itself make us unhappy.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Avoid them unless you are committed to outdoor pursuits.
Standen, Chris Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990)
Clearly there is something in the human soul that loves these vengeful pursuits of purity.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Could this be the end of fortysomething fellows abandoning their wives and rushing off in pursuit of fast cars and fast women?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The goal should be the pursuit of national interest, he declared.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
White's forces have abandoned their king in pursuit of nebulous activity on the opposite wing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He will go in pursuit of further Olympic success with the team pursuit track team.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He now feels that his health was put at risk in the team's pursuit of gold medals.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
After all, the last thing people will cut back on in a downturn is their favourite leisure pursuit.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There follows a cross country chase across the plains, with a fleet of police cars in noisy pursuit.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The Scottish Highlands are a great location to enjoy outdoor pursuits but people need to protect themselves.
The Sun (2011)
He added: 'The aim is also to encourage youngsters to take up active outdoor pursuits as a hobby.
The Sun (2014)
What comes to light makes it clear that certain pursuits or individuals you've idealised aren't as perfect as you thought.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Pursuit: cycling race in which Britain begin by winning one gold and then the rest of the world struggles to keep up.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
pursuit
British English: pursuit /pəˈsjuːt/ NOUN
Your pursuit of something that you want consists of your attempts at achieving it.
...the pursuit of happiness.
American English: pursuit
Arabic: مُلاحَقَةُ
Brazilian Portuguese: perseguição
Chinese: 追逐
Croatian: težnja
Czech: snaha
Danish: forfølgelse
Dutch: nastreven
European Spanish: persecución
Finnish: takaa-ajo
French: poursuite
German: Verfolgung
Greek: καταδίωξη
Italian: inseguimento
Japanese: 追跡
Korean: 추적
Norwegian: forfølgelse
Polish: pościg
European Portuguese: perseguição
Romanian: căutare
Russian: преследование
Latin American Spanish: persecución
Swedish: förföljelse
Thai: การพยายามให้ถึงความต้องการ
Turkish: kovalamaca
Ukrainian: переслідування
Vietnamese: sự theo đuổi
All related terms of 'pursuit'
pursuit plane
a fighter plane , esp one before the Second World War, that travels at high speeds and pursues enemy aircraft
pursuit squad
A squad is a group of players from which a sports team will be chosen .
leisure pursuit
Your pursuits are your activities, usually activities that you enjoy when you are not working .
Trivial Pursuit
a board game that is based the ability to answer questions on popular culture and general knowledge
in hot pursuit
If you are in hot pursuit of someone, you are chasing after them with great determination .
solitary pursuit
Your pursuits are your activities, usually activities that you enjoy when you are not working .
Chinese translation of 'pursuit'
pursuit
(pəˈsjuːt)
n
the pursuit of[happiness, pleasure, excellence]对(對) ... 的追求 (duì ... de zhuīqiú)
(c) (= pastime) 消遣 (xiāoqiǎn)
in pursuit of[happiness, pleasure]追求 (zhuīqiú) [person, car, animal]穷(窮)追 (qióngzhuī)
in hot pursuit紧(緊)紧(緊)追赶(趕) (jǐnjǐn zhuīgǎn)
1 (noun)
Definition
the act of pursuing
individuals in pursuit of their dreamsthe pursuit of happiness
Synonyms
quest
Sir Guy the Seeker came on his quest to Dunstanburgh Castle.
seeking
search
There was no chance of him being found alive and the search was abandoned.
aim
a research programme that has failed to achieve its aim
aspiration
the needs and aspirations of our pupils
striving towards
2 (noun)
Definition
the act of pursuing
Police had obstructed justice by hindering the pursuit of terrorists.
Synonyms
pursuing
seeking
tracking
search
hunt
The couple had helped in the hunt for the lost hiker.
hunting
chase
He was arrested after a car chase.
trail
trailing
3 (noun)
Definition
an occupation or pastime
They both love outdoor pursuits.
Synonyms
occupation
I was looking for an occupation which would allow me to travel.
activity
Activities range from canoeing to birdwatching.
interest
He developed a wide range of sporting interests.
line
What was your father's line of business?
pleasure
hobby
My hobbies include tennis, music, and photography.
pastime
His favourite pastime is golf.
vocation
the levels of knowledge and skill required for success in many vocations
Additional synonyms
in the sense of activity
Definition
any specific action or pursuit
Activities range from canoeing to birdwatching.
Synonyms
pursuit,
act,
project,
scheme,
task,
pleasure,
interest,
enterprise,
undertaking,
occupation,
hobby,
deed,
endeavour,
pastime,
avocation
in the sense of aim
Definition
intention or purpose
a research programme that has failed to achieve its aim
Synonyms
intention,
end,
point,
plan,
course,
mark,
goal,
design,
target,
wish,
scheme,
purpose,
direction,
desire,
object,
objective,
ambition,
intent,
aspiration,
Holy Grail (informal)
in the sense of aspiration
Definition
a strong desire or aim
the needs and aspirations of our pupils
Synonyms
aim,
longing,
end,
plan,
hope,
goal,
design,
dream,
wish,
desire,
object,
intention,
objective,
ambition,
craving,
endeavour,
yearning,
eagerness,
Holy Grail (informal),
hankering
Synonyms of 'pursuit'
pursuit
Explore 'pursuit' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of chase
Definition
the act or an instance of chasing a person or animal
He was arrested after a car chase.
Synonyms
pursuit,
race,
hunt,
hunting
in the sense of hobby
Definition
an activity pursued in one's spare time for pleasure or relaxation
My hobbies include tennis, music, and photography.
Synonyms
pastime,
relaxation,
leisure pursuit,
sideline,
diversion,
avocation (formal),
favourite occupation,
(leisure) activity
in the sense of hunt
Definition
the act or an instance of hunting
The couple had helped in the hunt for the lost hiker.
Synonyms
search,
hunting,
investigation,
chase,
pursuit,
quest
in the sense of interest
Definition
something in which one is interested
He developed a wide range of sporting interests.
Synonyms
hobby,
activity,
pursuit,
entertainment,
relaxation,
recreation,
amusement,
preoccupation,
diversion,
pastime,
leisure activity
in the sense of line
Definition
a field of interest or activity
What was your father's line of business?
Synonyms
occupation,
work,
calling,
interest,
business,
job,
area,
trade,
department (informal),
field,
career,
activity,
bag (slang),
employment,
province,
profession,
pursuit,
forte,
vocation,
specialization
in the sense of pastime
Definition
an activity which makes time pass pleasantly
His favourite pastime is golf.
Synonyms
activity,
game,
sport,
entertainment,
leisure,
hobby,
relaxation,
recreation,
distraction,
amusement,
diversion
in the sense of search
Definition
an attempt to find something by looking somewhere
There was no chance of him being found alive and the search was abandoned.
Synonyms
hunt,
look,
inquiry,
investigation,
examination,
pursuit,
quest,
going-over (informal),
inspection,
exploration,
scrutiny,
rummage,
Google,
googlewhack (informal)
in the sense of vocation
Definition
a specified profession or trade
the levels of knowledge and skill required for success in many vocations