embark

1 of 2

verb

em·​bark im-ˈbärk 

embarked; embarking; embarks

intransitive verb

1

: to go on board a vehicle for transportation

the troops embarked at noon

2

: to make a start

embarked on a new career

transitive verb

1

: to cause to go on board (a boat, an airplane, etc.)

2

: to engage, enlist, or invest in an enterprise

embarkation

ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən 

-bər-

noun

embarkment

im-ˈbärk-mənt 

noun

embarkation

2 of 2

noun

em·​bar·​ka·​tion

variants or less commonly embarcation

ˌemˌbärˈkāshən, 

-ˌbȧˈk-, 

-bə(r)ˈk-

plural -s

1

a

: the action or process of embarking

the embarkation of troops

b

: something (such as a body of troops) that is embarked

2

archaic : ship, boat

Synonyms of embark

Verb

• begin
• start
• commence
• fall (to)
• enter (into or upon)
• get going
• open
• found

Examples of embark in a Sentence

Verb

The troops are waiting to embark.

Millions of Europeans embarked for America in the late 19th century.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The video ad shows Martin and the others playing a group of friends embarking on a summer road trip in the countryside while flaunting their fits. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 2 July 2026

After connecting on dating app Hinge, the pair met for the first time last Thursday and decided to embark on a unique second date. — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 1 July 2026

As muscles disappear and social hierarchies collapse, Jim embarks on a wild, campy quest to find a cure before his life falls apart completely. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026

With the help of her best friend AJ (Zosia Mamet), Ruby embarks on a mission to warn her exes that their days might be numbered. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle French embarquer, from Old Occitan embarcar, from em- (from Latin in-) + barca bark

First Known Use

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing embark

• embark on/upon

Rhymes for embark

• ballpark
• benchmark
• birthmark
• daymark
• earmark
• hallmark
• landmark
• monarch
• postmark
• remark
• skylark
• tetrarch

Kids Definition

embark

verb

em·​bark im-ˈbärk 

1

: to go or put on board a ship or airplane

2

: to begin some task or project

embark on a career

embarkation

ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən 

noun

embarkment

im-ˈbärk-mənt 

noun