Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

embark

verb
Save Word
em·​bark | \ im-ˈbärk How to pronounce embark (audio) \
embarked; embarking; embarks

Definition of embark

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
Other Words from embark Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about embark

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from embark

embarkation \ ˌem-​ˌbär-​ˈkā-​shən How to pronounce embark (audio) , -​bər-​ \ noun
embarkment \ im-​ˈbärk-​mənt How to pronounce embark (audio) \ 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 The Brewers embark on a seven-game trip to Philadelphia and Miami beginning Monday. ... — Rich Rovito, Star Tribune, "Peralta strong on mound, Brewers down scuffling Dodgers 3-1," 30 Apr. 2021 Three childhood friends embark on a canoe trip to find a plane hijacker’s stash of money. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week ‘Pulp Fiction’ on BBC America and IFC," 9 Apr. 2021 The Coyotes embark on a nine-game road trip that will take them to five different cities. — Jose M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, "Kessel's hat trick, Hill's shutout help Coyotes roll to win over Sharks," 28 Mar. 2021 Shortly after the vaccine is administered, these cells embark on a crash course in the coronavirus. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, "You’re Not Fully Vaccinated the Day of Your Last Dose," 17 Mar. 2021 On the run from their pimp and his henchmen, three women embark on a wild and crazy journey in search of freedom. — Jacob Siegal, BGR, "Everything coming and going on Netflix: Week of March 14th," 14 Mar. 2021 Wesley and Maybell – each carrying their own emotional damages – embark on a fixer upper plan for the estate and end up repairing so much more. — Usa Today Life Staff, USA TODAY, "Rom-com reading: The best new books that made us laugh, swoon and root for love," 13 Mar. 2021 After opening the 2021 season with six home games, the Cubs embark on a six-game road trip before returning to Wrigley on April 16. — Meghan Montemurro, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Cubs can fill Wrigley Field at 20% capacity to start the season — a ‘walk before you run’ approach with bigger hopes. Here’s what else to expect inside.," 9 Mar. 2021 The three women thus embark on a frenetic race in search of freedom. — Sheena Scott, Forbes, "5 European Series Coming To Netflix And Amazon In March," 26 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'embark.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of embark

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

History and Etymology for embark

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about embark

Statistics for embark

Last Updated

8 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Embark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embark. Accessed 15 May. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for embark

embark

verb
How to pronounce embark (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of embark

: to begin a journey especially on a ship or airplane

See the full definition for embark in the English Language Learners Dictionary

embark

verb
em·​bark | \ im-ˈbärk How to pronounce embark (audio) \
embarked; embarking

Kids Definition of embark

1 : to go on or put on board a ship or an airplane The last of the passengers embarked.
2 : to begin a project or task She embarked on a new career.

More from Merriam-Webster on embark

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for embark

Nglish: Translation of embark for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of embark for Arabic Speakers

Comments on embark

What made you want to look up embark? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

heinous

Listen to the pronunciation of heinous

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

  • image1676440788
  • Choose the best definition or synonym for the word in bold: "There are some eructations that sound like cheers—at least, mine did." Lolita
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games