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

Arsenal arrive with momentum after winning the league for the first time in 22 years, while City are embarking on a new era, with Enzo Maresca taking charge competitively for the first time following his appointment to replace Pep Guardiola. — Dean Jones, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Zac tracked him down for a chat about the pic, which is about a St Andrews student (Fionn Whitehead) who embarks on a trip across the Scottish Highlands in the company of legendary poet Jorge Luis Borges (Luis Gnecco). — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Fingall was a four-year contributor at Stanford before graduating in 2020 and embarking on a career in international hoops. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

After years as a college coach and an NBA assistant coach, Sweeney is embarking on his first head coaching job. — Kathy Laughlin, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 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