pursuit

noun

pur-SOOT/pɜːɹˈsuːt/puh-SYOOT/pə(ɹ)ˈsjuːt/AUSpuh-SHOOT/pəˈʃʉːt/

4 meanings of pursuit

1
nouncountable or uncountable
The act of chasing or following someone or something to catch them.
Like a cat racing after a mouse to catch it.
The dog took off in pursuit of the rabbit.
Police cars joined the pursuit down the highway.
Similarchase, hunt
Oppositeflight
Note
2
nouncountable
A hobby or fun activity that someone does often in their free time.
Like a sport or game you love to play again and again.
Painting is her favorite weekend pursuit.
Fishing became his main pursuit after he retired.
Similarhobby, pastime, activity, amusement, diversion
3
nouncountable
A track cycling race where two teams start on opposite sides of the track and try to catch each other.
Like two teams of runners starting on opposite sides of a circle, each trying to catch the other.
Our team won the pursuit by catching the other side before the finish.
She trained for weeks before the big pursuit on the track.
Note

Less common meaning

4
nounobsoleteuncountable
The act of bringing a legal case against someone accused of a crime.
That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the spiritual court.
1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of BritainHere, pursuit means bringing a legal case against someone in court.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old French poursuite, from a verb meaning "to pursue." It came into Middle English as pursuyte.