engross

verb

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en·gross | \ in-ˈgrōs

, en- \

engrossed; engrossing; engrosses

Definition of engross

transitive verb

1a : to copy or write in a large hand

b : to prepare the usually final handwritten or printed text of (an official document)

2 [Middle English, from Anglo-French engrosser, from en gros wholesale, in quantity]

a : to purchase large quantities of (as for speculation)

b archaic : amass, collect

c : to take or engage the whole attention of : occupy completely ideas that have engrossed the minds of scholars for generations

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Examples of engross in a Sentence

a mystery story that will engross readers all the way to the surprise ending

Recent Examples on the Web Two days is enough time to engross yourself in a curriculum, build a solid foundation, sleep on it and continue to build on that foundation the next day. — Chris Mudgett, Outdoor Life, "You Just Purchased a Handgun for Personal Defense, Now What?," 1 July 2020 The intricate synergies of coffee and capitalism form the subtext of the historian Augustine Sedgewick’s thoroughly engrossing first book, Coffeeland: One Man’s Dark Empire and the Making of Our Favorite Drug. — Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, "Capitalism’s Favorite Drug," 6 Apr. 2020 Both are passionate members of the local movement behind the global Million Mask Challenge, a push to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical professionals around the globe engrossed in the fight against coronavirus. — Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star, "Dallara transforms local IndyCar shop for fight against COVID-19," 1 Apr. 2020 As for himself, Patricia continues to be engrossed in the endless work of being an NFL coach. — Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "A day in Matt Patricia's makeshift home office: Grinding tape, virtual meetings and kids," 3 May 2020 Instead of agonizing about side stitches, I was fully engrossed in the story. — The Editors, Outside Online, "Everything Our Editors Loved in February," 3 Mar. 2020 But Hopkins is engrossing in the role, his halted delivery providing a window into Benedict’s darting intellect. — Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, "Oscars 2020 Spotlight: The Actors," 5 Feb. 2020 And the Iran nuclear program and negotiations engrossed the Obama presidency. — Karim Sadjadpour, Time, "Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Is One Despot Trump Might Not Win Over," 3 Oct. 2019 Steve Jobs, its founder, had a preternatural ability to engross, entertain, and sell from the stage. — Robert Hackett, Fortune, "What is Apple without its events? A new iPad—and era, perhaps—arrives via press release," 19 Mar. 2020

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

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Cite this Entry

“Engross.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engross. Accessed 20 Sep. 2020.

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More Definitions for engross

engross

verb

English Language Learners Definition of engross

: to hold the complete interest or attention of (someone)

See the full definition for engross in the English Language Learners Dictionary

engross

verb

en·gross | \ in-ˈgrōs

engrossed; engrossing

Kids Definition of engross

: to take the attention of completely He was engrossed in a book.

engross

transitive verb

en·gross | \ in-ˈgrōs

Legal Definition of engross

: to prepare the usually final handwritten or printed text of (as a bill or resolution) especially for final passage or approval the amendment was ordered to be engrossed — Congressional Record — see also engrossed bill at bill sense 1 — compare enroll

Note: A bill or resolution is engrossed in the Congress and some state legislatures before its third reading and final passage by one of the legislative houses.