encompass
verb
en·com·pass
in-ˈkəm-pəs 
en-
also -ˈkäm-
encompassed; encompassing; encompasses
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
Stuart D. StrahlThat success soon mushroomed into an empire encompassing toys, games, animations and all manner of consumer gewgaws.—Charlie Campbell
Charlie Campbell2
3
dated
: bring about, accomplish
… Jiu Jitsu, the … art of making an opponent use his strength to encompass his own defeat.—TIME
TIMEExamples of encompass in a Sentence
The district encompasses most of the downtown area.
a neighborhood encompassed by a highway
Recent Examples on the Web
Company eyes region’s metals Part of the national forest that encompasses the wilderness area sits on what’s known as the Duluth Complex, a rock formation that contains copper, nickel, lead, zinc, iron, silver and gold, according to the Forest Service.
—Todd Richmond, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
There’s more to discover across the outdoor grounds, including landscaped gardens—one of which encompasses a reflecting pool, a koi fish pond, alfresco dining and lounge areas shaded by pergolas, a summer kitchen, and the swimming pool.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
Chicago’s jazz scene is coalescing around the occasion, which, contrary to its name, actually encompasses a dense week of programming running April 25 to May 1.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Created in the 1930s, the material illustrates trade routes of the British Empire—including a map that encompasses China.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Todd Richmond, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
There’s more to discover across the outdoor grounds, including landscaped gardens—one of which encompasses a reflecting pool, a koi fish pond, alfresco dining and lounge areas shaded by pergolas, a summer kitchen, and the swimming pool.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
Chicago’s jazz scene is coalescing around the occasion, which, contrary to its name, actually encompasses a dense week of programming running April 25 to May 1.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Created in the 1930s, the material illustrates trade routes of the British Empire—including a map that encompasses China.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
Cite this Entry
“Encompass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompass. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
