1. (n.) The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.

2. (n.) An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something.

3. (v. t.) To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.

aim ambitiousness animus anxiety appetite aspiration avidity basis calling careerism catch cause climbing consideration counsel craving dearest wish desideration desideratum design desire determination dream drive eagerness effect energy enterprise enthusiasm fancy fixed purpose forbidden fruit function get-up-and-go glimmering goal go-ahead goad goal golden vision ground guiding light guiding star hope hunger idea ideal incentive initiative inspiration intendment intent intention keenness lodestar lodestone lofty ambition magnanimity magnet mainspring mark matter meaning mind motive nirvana nisus object objective plan plum point power-hunger pretension principle prize project proposal prospectus purpose push reason resolution resolve sake score social climbing source spirit spring spur status-seeking striving study target temptation thirst trophy ulterior motive vaulting ambition view vigor vocation will wish zeal