embark

1 of 2

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

embarkment

2 of 2

noun

em·​bark·​ment ə̇mˈbärkmənt 

em-, 

-bȧk-

plural -s

: embarkation sense 1a

Synonyms of embark

Verb

• begin
• start
• commence
• fall (to)
• enter (into or upon)
• get going
• open
• found

Examples of embark in a Sentence

Verb

The troops are waiting to embark.

Millions of Europeans embarked for America in the late 19th century.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On July 1, Penn State officially ended its 33-year partnership with Nike and embarked on a new one with adidas. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Randau embarked on his own research, consulting archives in Germany, and history experts, to eventually uncover the physiotherapist’s SS membership card and other damning evidence. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Along the way, each discovery feels less like visiting an art installation than embarking on a treasure hunt through the region. — Lisa Greissinger, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026

North was meant to be embarking on her first headlining tour alongside rapper Molly Santana after releasing her debut EP, N0rth4evr. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle French embarquement, from embarquer + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

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