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 of embark

• 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

Create a game plan at QB The Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa are embarking on a divorce. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self embarked on an early morning stroll several hours before the Jayhawks’ Big 12 battle against first-place Arizona on Saturday afternoon at 14,688-seat McKale Center. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2026

In the late 1990s, Stone embarked on a solo career, becoming a pioneer in neo-soul. —Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026

He is also set to embark on a massive tour that features residencies across the globe, kicking off May 16 in Amsterdam. —Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026

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