I. amˈbishən, aam- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English ambicioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French ambition, from Latin ambition-, ambitio soliciting of votes, desire for honor or power, literally, going around, from ambitus (past participle of ambire to go around, solicit, strive for) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at ambient
1.
a. : an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power
his ruin was that ambition … had laid hold of him — Thomas Carlyle
b. : the will or desire to succeed or achieve a particular goal or end : aspiration
it was her ambition for me which proved the deciding factor — David Fairchild
2. : the object of one's desire
accomplished its curious ambition of breaking into and robbing the state prison — Dixon Wecter
3. : a desire for activity or exertion : initiative , energy
I felt no ambition when I was under the weather for a few days — S.T.Byington
4. chiefly Midland : ill will , spite , malice
II. transitive verb
( ambitioned ; ambitioned ; ambitioning -sh(ə)niŋ ; ambitions )
: to have as one's ambition : desire
I never ambitioned it — Augusta Gregory