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

• 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

And the Final 3 will look back on all the memorable moments during a special Friday episode before embarking on the first leg of the three-part Head of Household competition. —Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025

The first group of American astronauts to travel within the vicinity of the moon in more than half a century could be embarking on their historic journey much earlier than expected. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Mel Owens has officially embarked on his journey to find love. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025

When Gabby’s Dollhouse lands in the hands of Vera, Gabby embarks on an adventure to rescue her beloved cats and dollhouse. —Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025

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