embark

verb

em·​bark im-ˈbärk 

embarked; embarking; embarks

intransitive verb

1

: to go on board a vehicle for transportation

the troops embarked at noon

2

: to make a start

embarked on a new career

transitive verb

1

: to cause to go on board (a boat, an airplane, etc.)

2

: to engage, enlist, or invest in an enterprise

embarkation

ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən 

-bər-

noun

embarkment

im-ˈbärk-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• begin
• start
• commence
• fall (to)
• enter (into or upon)
• get going
• open
• found

Examples of embark in a Sentence

The troops are waiting to embark.

Millions of Europeans embarked for America in the late 19th century.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pugh embarked on a brutal 12-day swim around Martha's Vineyard not long after the first shark sighting of the season in the area. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 June 2025

The musician will embark on a 30-date tour in support of the album, kicking off the American Heart tour on Aug. 22 in St. Paul, Minnesota. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025

The company has recently embarked the development of a line of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body cream, as well as spray for denim pieces. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 June 2025

However, as the man-eating shark continues its killing spree, Brody must embark on a mission to destroy the shark and save the town. —Caroline Blair, People.com, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French embarquer, from Old Occitan embarcar, from em- (from Latin in-) + barca bark

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing embark

• embark on/upon

Rhymes for embark

• ballpark
• benchmark
• birthmark
• daymark
• earmark
• hallmark
• landmark
• monarch
• postmark
• remark
• skylark
• tetrarch

Kids Definition

embark

verb

em·​bark im-ˈbärk 

1

: to go or put on board a ship or airplane

2

: to begin some task or project

embark on a career

embarkation

ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən 

noun

embarkment

im-ˈbärk-mənt 

noun