embed

1 of 2

verb

em·​bed im-ˈbed 

variants or less commonly imbed

embedded also imbedded; embedding also imbedding; embeds also imbeds

transitive verb

1

a

: to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix

fossils embedded in stone

b

: to make something an integral part of

the prejudices embedded in our language

c

: to prepare (a microscopy specimen) for sectioning by infiltrating with and enclosing in a supporting substance

d

: to insert (a media file, such as a graphic, video, or audio clip) into a computer document (as on a website or in an email)

Marketers embed advertisements in subscription mailing-list messages to reach target audiences.

—Matthew Mills

The company … lets users embed video and audio attachments in E-mail messages.

—Matt Richtel

2

a

: to attach (a journalist) to a military unit for the purpose of covering a conflict

One of six Iraqi journalists who will be embedded with U.S. and Iraqi troops …

—Tom Lasseter

Ever since the American-led invasion of Iraq last year, when hundreds of journalists were embedded with military units, people in media circles have been debating whether journalists lose their professional detachment under such circumstances and begin to identify too closely with the troops they are covering.

—Robert D. Kaplan

b

: to attach (someone) to a group (such as a military unit or government agency) for the purpose of advising, training, or treating its members

Implementation of the plan to embed behavior specialists at the brigade level will result in 50 positions being staffed between now and 2013.

—Philip Grey

Dr. Dawdy … is one of the more unusual relief workers among the thousands who have come to the devastated expanses of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She is officially embedded with the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a liaison to the state's historic preservation office.

—John Schwartz

3

: to surround closely

a sweet pulp embeds the plum seed

intransitive verb

: to become embedded

embedment

im-ˈbed-mənt 

noun

embedded

2 of 2

adjective

em·​bed·​ded im-ˈbe-dəd 

1

: occurring as a grammatical constituent (such as a verb phrase or clause) within a like constituent

2

: enclosed closely in or as if in a matrix : set firmly into a mass or material

Every nuclear sample has a host of distinctive attributes, including the exact mix of impurities, the ratio of different radioactive isotopes, even embedded carbon compounds that indicate the sample's age.

—Discover

3

: attached to a military unit or group for some purpose (such as covering a conflict or providing expert advice)

an embedded journalist

embedded military advisors

4

a

of digital content : drawn from and linked to an external source but displayed or accessed locally

an embedded video

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.

—sportsnewsireland.com

b

of a device or system : functioning as part of a larger device rather than as an independent unit or system

a smartphone with embedded sensors

… even low-end cars nowadays have 30 to 50 embedded computers—which means that most vehicles are running millions of lines of software code, controlling everything from the brakes to the air conditioning.

—John Naughton

embedding

im-ˈbe-diŋ 

noun

Synonyms of embed

Verb

• root
• lodge
• put

Examples of embed in a Sentence

Verb

embed a post in concrete

the nails were solidly embedded in those old plaster walls

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The collaboration comes after Ephea was incubated by Kering’s Material Innovation Lab in Milan, which identifies, evolves, and helps to operationalize hundreds of alternative materials, with the hope of embedding them into brand collections. —Bella Webb, Vogue, 11 June 2026

Epstein also embedded himself within Microsoft after Gates stepped down as CEO; enough that Steve Sinofsky, then-head of the Windows division, paid Epstein $1 million to negotiate his exit agreement with the company in 2012. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 10 June 2026

Adjective

But only when connected locally to the car—there’s no embedded modem, so forget about remote access. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026

The pilot, which used Avery Dennison’s embedded RFID sensor technology in garments, demonstrated how the scannable system can accurately and automatically capture data needed to handle garments at scale. —Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for embed

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

embed

verb

em·​bed

variants also imbed

im-ˈbed

embedded also imbedded; embedding also imbedding

1

: to enclose in or as if in a surrounding mass : set solidly in or as if in a bed

embed a post in concrete

2

: to prepare (material for use under a microscope) for cutting by infiltrating with and enclosing in a supporting substance (as paraffin)

Medical Definition

embed

transitive verb

em·​bed

variants also imbed

im-ˈbed 

embedded also imbedded; embedding also imbedding

: to prepare (a microscopy specimen) for sectioning by infiltrating with and enclosing in a supporting substance

embedment

-ˈbed-mənt 

noun