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Legation vs Embassy - What's the difference?

legation | embassy |

As nouns the difference between legation and embassy

is that legation is the post or office of a legate; a legateship while embassy is the function or duty of an ambassador.

legation

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The post or office of a legate; a legateship.
  • A diplomatic mission.
  • The official residence of a diplomat.

    • Derived terms

    * legationary

    Anagrams

    *

    embassy

    English

    (wikipedia embassy)

    Noun

    (embassies)
  • The function or duty of an ambassador.
  • An organization or group of officials who permanently represent a sovereign state in a second sovereign state or with respect to an international organization such as the United Nations.
    • The American embassy to France is located in Paris.
  • A temporary mission representing a sovereign state.
    • The Japanese embassy to the United States traveled to Washington, D.C., where it was received by (James Buchanan), before continuing on to New York and then returning to Japan, making several stops on the way.
  • The official residence of such a group, or of an ambassador.

    • Usage notes

    Today the term embassy generally refers to a permanent'' organization, housed in a permanent building or offices, maintaining ties between nations. In the past, this was more often a ''temporary mission (as in ) – the delegation would return home following meetings with foreign officials – and this is reflected in some traditional usages and related diplomatic terms, such as (Head of Mission).

    Related terms

    * ambassador

    See also

    * consulate