encompass

verb

en·​com·​pass in-ˈkəm-pəs 

en-

also -ˈkäm-

encompassed; encompassing; encompasses

transitive verb

1

: to include as a part of a whole or group

a plan that encompasses a number of aims

The ranch encompasses more than 2,500 acres of prime forest …

—Stuart D. Strahl

That success soon mushroomed into an empire encompassing toys, games, animations and all manner of consumer gewgaws.

—Charlie Campbell

2

a

: envelop

A thick fog encompassed the city.

b

: to form a circle about : enclose

a small village encompassed by mountains

c

obsolete : to travel completely around

3

dated : bring about, accomplish

… Jiu Jitsu, the … art of making an opponent use his strength to encompass his own defeat.

—TIME

encompassment

in-ˈkəm-pə-smənt 

en-

also -ˈkäm-

noun

Synonyms of encompass

• surround
• encircle

Examples of encompass in a Sentence

The district encompasses most of the downtown area.

a neighborhood encompassed by a highway

Recent Examples on the Web

Focus is primarily on what are known as soft kills, which encompass ways of stopping drones by signal interference or disruptions caused by external energy. — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

This category also encompasses creams or pastes—essentially anything that can be passed through with a butter knife—from common travel necessities like shampoo, face wash, and sunscreen; to toothpaste, hairspray, and even peanut butter. — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

But the 18 to 24-year-old period usually encompasses most education and training and the initial job or jobs that a person has. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Its assets also encompass content units A+E Studios, A+E Factual Studio, A&E IndieFilms, A+E Global Media Digital as well as streaming apps including subscription-video services including Lifetime Movie Club, Crime 360 and History Vault. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Rhymes for encompass

• compass
• rumpus

Kids Definition

encompass

verb

en·​com·​pass in-ˈkəm-pəs 

-ˈkäm-

1

: to form a circle about : surround

2

a

: to cover or surround especially so as to hide or protect

b

: to take in as a part : include

encompassment

-mənt 

noun