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

More than a decade in the making, The Optimist began when producer Jeanine Thomas met Heller in 2014 and spent considerable time with him before deciding to embark on this passion project. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

The Ninjas embarked on a treacherous journey, flipping and slashing through data and linking millions of private businesses to the millions of individual taxpayers who owned them. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

Earlier this year, Grande released her album Petal and embarked on the Eternal Sunshine Tour, and concerns for her physical well-being mounted. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Unfortunately for South Florida’s NFL franchise, games like Sunday’s 27-13 season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders will likely be the norm because of the full-fledged youth movement the Dolphins have embarked on. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 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