embody

verb

em·​body im-ˈbä-dē 

embodied; embodying

transitive verb

1

: to give a body to (a spirit) : incarnate

2

a

: to deprive of spirituality

b

: to make concrete and perceptible

3

: to cause to become a body or part of a body : incorporate

4

: to represent in human or animal form : personify

men who greatly embodied the idealism of American life

—A. M. Schlesinger born 1917

embodier noun

Synonyms

• integrate
• incorporate
• assimilate

Examples of embody in a Sentence

The legislature embodied a revenue provision in the new law.

they must embody their ideas in substantial institutions if they are to survive

Recent Examples on the Web

Even in antiquity, some thinkers embodied this courage. —Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025

Advertisement The challenge for the actor included embodying two very different sides of a character, mastering football’s technical demands, and balancing humor with pain. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

Who better to embody that idea than such an iconic mother-daughter duo of Gwyneth and Apple? —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025

Dean's death ended not only the life of a rising star but also the career of a cultural icon who had come to embody youthful rebellion and the angst of a generation. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for embody

• blackbody
• samadhi
• somebody
• afterbody
• antibody
• busybody
• everybody
• autoantibody
• bawdy
• body
• gaudy
• khadi

Kids Definition

embody

verb

em·​body im-ˈbäd-ē 

embodied; embodying

1

: to give definite form to

embodied her ideas in suitable words

2

: to cause to become a body or a part of a body or system

the Constitution embodies the fundamental laws of the United States

3

: to represent in visible form

a leader who embodies courage

embodier noun