en·com·pass
in-ˈkəm-pəs 
en-
also -ˈkäm-
encompassed; encompassing; encompasses
1
: to include as a part of a whole or group
a plan that encompasses a number of aims
The ranch encompasses more than 2,500 acres of prime forest …—
Stuart D. Strahl
Stuart D. StrahlThat success soon mushroomed into an empire encompassing toys, games, animations and all manner of consumer gewgaws.—Charlie Campbell
Charlie Campbell2
3
dated
: bring about, accomplish
… Jiu Jitsu, the … art of making an opponent use his strength to encompass his own defeat.—TIME
TIME
plural -s
1
: the act or action of encompassing
the president's adroit encompassment of each difficulty
2
: the quality or state of being encompassed
had a feeling of complete encompassment by unfriendly forces
Examples of encompass in a Sentence
Verb
The district encompasses most of the downtown area.
a neighborhood encompassed by a highway
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
28 June 2026
The $160 billion global functional drinks market has become an increasingly lucrative category, encompassing multipurpose drinks that claim to promise taste and enjoyment alongside wellness benefits, as consumers look for convenient ways to meet their health targets.
—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
28 June 2026
Three-quarters of France, encompassing tens of millions of people, was put under a red alert for extreme heat on Thursday and Friday as the mercury topped 40 C (104 F) in some locations, including in Paris.
—
Kirsten Grieshaber,
Fortune,
27 June 2026
Three-quarters of France, encompassing tens of millions of people, was put under a red alert for extreme heat on Thursday and Friday as the mercury topped 104 degrees in some locations, including in Paris.
—
CBS News,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
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Verb
His family tree branches over a region that now encompasses southern New Mexico, West Texas and Mexico.
—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
28 June 2026
The $160 billion global functional drinks market has become an increasingly lucrative category, encompassing multipurpose drinks that claim to promise taste and enjoyment alongside wellness benefits, as consumers look for convenient ways to meet their health targets.
—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
28 June 2026
Three-quarters of France, encompassing tens of millions of people, was put under a red alert for extreme heat on Thursday and Friday as the mercury topped 40 C (104 F) in some locations, including in Paris.
—
Kirsten Grieshaber,
Fortune,
27 June 2026
Three-quarters of France, encompassing tens of millions of people, was put under a red alert for extreme heat on Thursday and Friday as the mercury topped 104 degrees in some locations, including in Paris.
—
CBS News,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
Cite this Entry
“Encompass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompass. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encompass
verb
en·com·pass
in-ˈkəm-pəs
-ˈkäm-
1
: to form a circle about : surround
2
a
: to cover or surround especially so as to hide or protect
b
: to take in as a part : include
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