English · Word Candidate

obsession

/əbˈsɛʃən/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: obsessions

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The quality of being obsessed; an unshakeable feeling that one topic or activity must be pursued above other interests.

Noun

My obsession with rugby resulted in me spending years following the sport.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

An idea that engenders a compulsive or irrational preoccupation, or the preoccupation thereby engendered.

Noun

The downfall of the chairman is an obsession that consumes Laura's time.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “obsession” mean?

The quality of being obsessed; an unshakeable feeling that one topic or activity must be pursued above other interests.

Is “obsession” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.