Ambassador

An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents their country or government.

Ambassadors are usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of their country.

Sometimes governments also appoint highly respected individuals as Ambassador at Large who are assigned specific responsibilities and they work to advise and assist their governments in a given area.

In everyday usage it applies to the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign capital. The host state typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an embassy, whose territory, staff, and even vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country.

Ambassadors are ministers of the highest rank, with plenipotentiary authority to represent their head of state. In modern usage, most Ambassadors on foreign postings as head of mission carry the full title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. "Ordinary" Ambassadors and non-plenipotentiary status are rarely used, although they may be encountered in certain circumstances.