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

• absorb
• assimilate
• co-opt
• incorporate
• integrate

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

Extending the sounds of different voices story after story ad infinitum, My First Time suggests that these individual moments of recognition embody a kind of collective trauma that is continually on repeat. —Ivy G. Wilson, Artforum, 1 May 2025

The luxury Korean skincare brand embodies how beauty can be an art form in itself. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Moreover, these projects embody the kind of public-private collaboration that has always driven New York’s most outstanding achievements. —Carlo Scissura, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025

Tramell Tillman embodies that spirit completely—his portrayal of Milchick in ‘Severance’ is a masterclass in nuance, intensity, and innovation. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 Apr. 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