encompass
verb
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
TIMEExamples of encompass in a Sentence
The district encompasses most of the downtown area.
a neighborhood encompassed by a highway
Recent Examples on the Web
Over the last decade, especially after the pandemic, the field of health care advocacy has evolved to encompass various services that help patients and families navigate the complicated, expensive medical landscape.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Ethiopian food encompasses many different dishes and ingredients, Tedla said.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Another two bedrooms are situated down here, as well, with the entire estate encompassing six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and three powder rooms.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026
For six of the vendors — serving cuisines that encompass regional Mexican, Thai and Cal-Med — the setup is casual.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
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Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Ethiopian food encompasses many different dishes and ingredients, Tedla said.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Another two bedrooms are situated down here, as well, with the entire estate encompassing six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and three powder rooms.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026
For six of the vendors — serving cuisines that encompass regional Mexican, Thai and Cal-Med — the setup is casual.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 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 11 Apr. 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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