encompass

verb en·com·pass \ in-ˈkəm-pəs , en- also -ˈkäm- \

Definition of encompass

transitive verb

1 a :to form a circle about :enclose

b obsolete :to go completely around

2 a :envelop

b :include, comprehend

a plan that encompasses a number of aims

3 :bring about, accomplish

encompass a task

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encompassment

play \in-ˈkəm-pə-smənt, en- also -ˈkäm-\ noun

See encompass defined for English-language learners

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Examples of encompass in a Sentence

The district encompasses most of the downtown area.
a neighborhood encompassed by a highway

Recent Examples of encompass from the Web

In January, a 2014 graduate of the school filed a lawsuit that encompasses the extent of the damage.

— brendan marks, charlotteobserver, "Why is Art Briles, fired for his role in Baylor’s sexual assault scandal, a coach again?," 28 Aug. 2017
This UNESCO World Heritage site encompasses the Upper Town, on top of city high-point Cap Diamant, and the Lower Town which surrounds Place Royale.

— Daily Intelligencer, "This Canadian City Will Make You Feel Like You’ve Landed in Europe," 11 Aug. 2017
Kern County, an agricultural area that encompasses Bakersfield and stretches into the Mojave Desert, had the highest number of cases in 2016, with about 40 percent of the statewide total.

— pauline bartolone, Kaiser Health News, "California Valley Fever Cases Highest On Record," 24 July 2017
Sometime in the years leading up to September 17, 2011, zombies had gone from being associated with a terror of mob rule to the promise of release from an inescapably all-encompassing system.

— erin blakemore, Longreads, "Our Zombies, Ourselves: An Undead Reading List," 20 July 2017
That area encompasses three U.S. Census tracts and a portion of a third that is also in the Joppa ZIP code.

— allan vought, The Aegis, "At a community forum, a hopeful view emerges about Edgewood's future," 19 July 2017
Season Two will crisscross the map to encompass 24 states, including North Carolina, Vermont, New York, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Oregon and Washington.

— mary colurso, AL.com, "Alabama's on the menu when Taylor Hicks' 'State Plate' makes its Season 2 debut," 14 July 2017
Located along a 26-mile stretch on Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast, South Walton encompasses a strand of 16 acclaimed beach neighborhoods, each with its own unique style and flavor.

— south walton, Bon Appetit, "Savor South Walton, Florida," 13 July 2017
As a spectrum, autism encompasses developmental disabilities ranging from slight to severe.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Autism still gets dismissed by some doctors, family learns in yearlong challenge," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'encompass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of encompass

Middle English

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

encompass Synonyms

Synonyms

circle, compass, embrace, encircle, enclose (also inclose), surround, environ, gird, girdle, ring, wreathe

Antonyms

exclude, leave (out), miss out [British], omit

Related Words

circumscribe, close in, cordon (off), fence (in), hem (in), wall; beset, besiege, entrench (also intrench), invest, swarm

Near Antonyms

ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit; deny, refuse, reject; eliminate, except, rule out; lose, mislay, misplace

ENCOMPASS Defined for English Language Learners

encompass

verb

Definition of encompass for English Language Learners

: to include (something) as a part
: to cover or surround (an area)

ENCOMPASS Defined for Kids

encompass

verb en·com·pass \ in-ˈkəm-pəs \

Definition of encompass for Students

encompassed; encompassing

1 :to cover or surround :encircle

Mountains encompass the peaceful valley.

2 :include The subject of social studies encompasses history, civics, and geography.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for encompass Spanish Central: Translation of encompass Nglish: Translation of encompass for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of encompass for Arabic speakers

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Examples of encompass in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of encompass

encompass Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

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ENCOMPASS Defined for English Language Learners

encompass

Definition of encompass for English Language Learners

ENCOMPASS Defined for Kids

encompass

Definition of encompass for Students

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