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.
For enterprise leaders embarking on AI initiatives, one lesson is clear. Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Brown was arrested on May 15 at a Manchester hotel — right before embarking on his anniversary tour. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025 The tax could change, as the Senate embarks on a marathon day of amendment votes on Monday. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 30 June 2025 Today, this 42-year-old is 54 pounds lighter, with a diet of more produce and natural foods from the environment, settled into a move back to her hometown and embarked on a new business focused on recovery through self-sufficiency. Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 30 June 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 6 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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