embark

1 of 2

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

embarkation

2 of 2

noun

em·​bar·​ka·​tion

variants or less commonly embarcation

ˌemˌbärˈkāshən, 

-ˌbȧˈk-, 

-bə(r)ˈk-

plural -s

1

a

: the action or process of embarking

the embarkation of troops

b

: something (such as a body of troops) that is embarked

2

archaic : ship, boat

Synonyms of embark

Verb

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

Examples of embark in a Sentence

Verb

The troops are waiting to embark.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Instead, Clark appears eager to embark on his own version of a redemption tour, one great round of golf at a time. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Jim has been pushing Nvidia to embark on an Apple-style buyback for a while now. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

In his May ruling, the judge also barred the center from embarking on the two-year closure, concluding that the board failed to consider options and the full impact. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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