embedded

adjective

em·​bed·​ded im-ˈbe-dəd 

1

: occurring as a grammatical constituent (such as a verb phrase or clause) within a like constituent

2

: enclosed closely in or as if in a matrix : set firmly into a mass or material

Every nuclear sample has a host of distinctive attributes, including the exact mix of impurities, the ratio of different radioactive isotopes, even embedded carbon compounds that indicate the sample's age.

—Discover

3

: attached to a military unit or group for some purpose (such as covering a conflict or providing expert advice)

an embedded journalist

embedded military advisors

4

a

of digital content : drawn from and linked to an external source but displayed or accessed locally

an embedded video

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.

—sportsnewsireland.com

b

of a device or system : functioning as part of a larger device rather than as an independent unit or system

a smartphone with embedded sensors

… even low-end cars nowadays have 30 to 50 embedded computers—which means that most vehicles are running millions of lines of software code, controlling everything from the brakes to the air conditioning.

—John Naughton

embedding

im-ˈbe-diŋ 

noun

Examples of embedded in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

New orders for the specialized and embedded chips that NXP and its peers make—not to be confused with the high-performance AI silicon that gets all the news headlines—are finally rising after a long slump going all the way back to the COVID-19 pandemic. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026

Four others were injured by embedded bullet fragments. —Kaitlin Lange, IndyStar, 25 Apr. 2026

The exodus could weaken the surveillance and counterintelligence apparatus that helped sustain Venezuela’s authoritarian system for years, even as analysts warn that remnants of the network remain deeply embedded and capable of operating in the shadows. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

The letter contained several examples, complete with embedded pictures, explaining how simple text prompts resulted in glossy renderings of Disney characters, including Darth Vader and Iron Man. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for embedded

• bareheaded
• beheaded
• hardheaded
• homesteaded
• imbedded
• impleaded
• lightheaded
• redheaded
• spearheaded
• unleaded
• bedded
• breaded