embark

verb

em·​bark im-ˈbärk How to pronounce embark (audio)
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 noun
embarkment noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Moving to the Hibiya-Ginza district and bringing in a new programming team, the festival embarked on a much more progressive and outward-looking trajectory, coinciding with a growing international focus in the local Japanese film biz. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025 Determined, Khaled sneaks into Israel and embarks on a journey to the sea. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025 The two men embarked on a long journey from concept to product to create a wine that speaks to the preferences of today’s consumers, who want quality and style without the intimidating jargon of traditional wine culture. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Oct. 2025 Tesseract, following a woman named Laila who embarks on a search through alternate realities for her missing child, boasts six episodes. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embark

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of embark was in 1533

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Embark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embark. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

embark

verb
em·​bark im-ˈbärk How to pronounce embark (audio)
1
: to go or put on board a ship or airplane
2
: to begin some task or project
embark on a career
embarkation noun
embarkment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on embark

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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