obsession

[ uh b-sesh-uh n ]
/ əbˈsɛʃ ən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR obsession ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.
the idea, image, desire, feeling, etc., itself.
the state of being obsessed.
the act of obsessing.

Origin of obsession

1505–15; < Latin obsessiōn- (stem of obsessiō) blockade, siege, equivalent to obsess(us) (see obsess) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM obsession

ob·ses·sion·al, adjective non·ob·ses·sion, noun non·ob·ses·sion·al, adjective self-ob·ses·sion, noun

Words nearby obsession

observatory, observe, observer, obsess, obsessed, obsession, obsessive, obsessive-compulsive, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsidian, obsidian dating

Words related to obsession

phobia, fascination, delusion, mania, passion, infatuation, enthusiasm, compulsion, preoccupation, phantom, case, monkey, attraction, hang-up, fancy, crush, thing, complex, fetish, neurosis

Example sentences from the Web for obsession

British Dictionary definitions for obsession

obsession
/ (əbˈsɛʃən) /

noun

psychiatry a persistent idea or impulse that continually forces its way into consciousness, often associated with anxiety and mental illness
a persistent preoccupation, idea, or feeling
the act of obsessing or the state of being obsessed

Derived forms of obsession

obsessional, adjective obsessionally, adverb

Medical definitions for obsession

obsession
[ əb-sĕsh′ən, ŏb- ]

n.

Compulsive preoccupation with an idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.
A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.

Other words from obsession

ob•ses′sion•al adj.

Cultural definitions for obsession

obsession

A preoccupation with a feeling or idea. In psychology, an obsession is similar to a compulsion.