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

Again, George Strait embodies unity, tradition, and the timeless American music that truly deserves the 2026 Super Bowl spotlight. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025

Somehow, his soul embodies the whole club. —Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025

One cultural role of child stars, after all, is to embody for their moment the ambiguities of approaching adolescence. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

Unlike the battleship, few war machines have ever embodied national pride, technological ambition, and formidable capability. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 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