pursue

From Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-Norman pursure, poursuire etc., from Latin prōsequor (though influenced by persequor). Doublet of prosecute.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /pəˈsjuː/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /pəˈʃuː/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /pɚˈsu/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /pəˈʃu/
• (Nigeria) IPA^(key): /pɜˈʃuː/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (GB)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uː

pursue (third-person singular simple present pursues, present participle pursuing, simple past and past participle pursued)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase. [from 14th c.]

   pursue one's dreams

   • 15 September 2009, Martin Chulov, “Iraqi shoe-thrower claims he suffered torture in jail”, in The Guardian:

     He now feared for his life, and believed US intelligence agents would pursue him.

2. (transitive) To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.). [from late 14th c.]

   Her rival pursued a quite different course.

3. (transitive) To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.). [from late 14th c.]
   • 1 December 2009, Benjamin Pogrund, “Freeze won't hurt Netanyahu”, in The Guardian:

     He even stands to gain in world terms: his noisy critics strengthen his projected image of a man determined to pursue peace with Palestinians.

4. (transitive) To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession). [from 15th c.]
   • 2001, David L. Lieber, Jules Harlow, Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, page 141:

     The Kedarites are depicted as herders of sheep and goats who pursued a seminomadic existence and lived scattered over a wide area of the desert region east of the land of Israel.

5. (intransitive) To act as a legal prosecutor.
6. (transitive, somewhat archaic) To continue; to carry on.
   • 1870, Richard Francis Burton, “Conclusion”, in Vikram and the Vampire; or, Tales of Hindu Devilry, London: Longmans, Green, and Co, page 307:

     'Allow me, great king,' pursued the Demon, in a dry tone of voice, 'to wish you joy […]

• pursuer

• pursual
• pursuant
• pursuit

• follow
• chase

• sure up