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

As Odysseus struggles to return to Ithaca, his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) fights off suitors at home while their son Telemachus (Tom Holland) embarks on his own quest to find his father. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Nolan’s 2026 adaptation marks the first major Hollywood adaptation of all 24 books of The Odyssey, which was part of what inspired the director to embark on making the film in the first place. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

The Lightning will play 14 games in March, including two four-game road trips, at Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose and Chicago in the span of six days before embarking on another four-game road trip after returning to Tampa for two games. — Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2026

Born in Kansas and residing in Arkansas, Carlisle will embark on an expansive tour this fall. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 15 July 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