embody

verb

em·​body im-ˈbä-dē 

embodied; embodying

transitive verb

1

: to give a body to (a spirit) : incarnate

2

a

: to deprive of spirituality

b

: to make concrete and perceptible

3

: to cause to become a body or part of a body : incorporate

4

: to represent in human or animal form : personify

… men who greatly embodied the idealism of American life …

—A. M. Schlesinger born 1917

embodier noun

Synonyms of embody

• integrate
• incorporate
• assimilate

Examples of embody in a Sentence

The legislature embodied a revenue provision in the new law.

they must embody their ideas in substantial institutions if they are to survive

Recent Examples on the Web

Once home to countless cultural celebrations, the park embodies Widman’s legacy of arts, equity and community pride. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026

This is embodied in the great Homeric epic of the Odyssey, and many would argue that Odysseus was the greatest pirate of them all. —Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026

Bobby, for example, is embodied by a pixel-art animal that looks straight out of a 1980’s Nintendo game. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Jan. 2026

Of the bunch, Newmar had the largest role on the series, earning her place in entertainment history as the first actress to embody Catwoman in live action. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for embody

• blackbody
• samadhi
• somebody
• afterbody
• antibody
• busybody
• everybody
• autoantibody
• bawdy
• body
• gaudy
• khadi

Kids Definition

embody

verb

em·​body im-ˈbäd-ē 

embodied; embodying

1

: to give definite form to

embodied her ideas in suitable words

2

: to cause to become a body or a part of a body or system

the Constitution embodies the fundamental laws of the United States

3

: to represent in visible form

a leader who embodies courage

embodier noun