encompass

verb

en·​com·​pass in-ˈkəm-pəs 

en-

also -ˈkäm-

encompassed; encompassing; encompasses

transitive verb

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

That success soon mushroomed into an empire encompassing toys, games, animations and all manner of consumer gewgaws.

—Charlie Campbell

2

a

: envelop

A thick fog encompassed the city.

b

: to form a circle about : enclose

a small village encompassed by mountains

c

obsolete : to travel completely around

3

dated : bring about, accomplish

… Jiu Jitsu, the … art of making an opponent use his strength to encompass his own defeat.

—TIME

encompassment

in-ˈkəm-pə-smənt 

en-

also -ˈkäm-

noun

Synonyms of encompass

• surround
• encircle

Examples of encompass in a Sentence

The district encompasses most of the downtown area.

a neighborhood encompassed by a highway

Recent Examples on the Web

Hinojosa was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2016, representing District 49, which encompasses parts of Austin. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

The new collection will be presented in Paris during the menswear fashion week in January, alongside a broader cultural program encompassing an exhibition and music. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

That band encompasses much of Central and South America, Central Africa, southern India, Southeast Asia and northern Australia, as well as vast stretches of ocean. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

The 5th District encompasses part of west-central Folsom, including the neighborhoods east of East Bidwell Street and south of Blue Ravine Road. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Rhymes for encompass

• compass
• rumpus

Kids 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

encompassment

-mənt 

noun