engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
en-
engulfed; engulfing; engulfs

transitive verb

1
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
the mounting seas threatened to engulf the island
2
: to take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing
engulfment noun

Examples of engulf in a Sentence

The valley was engulfed in a thick fog. high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The 34-second clip shows a seemingly small vessel in the water soon engulfed in flames after the airstrike. Callum Sutherland, Time, 15 Oct. 2025 Israel’s self-defense policies risk engulfing the region in turmoil and harming the country’s stability. Yossi Shelley, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025 He then was engulfed by his teammates and shared a long embrace with Messi. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, Congress fiddles while structural defects in Medicare and Social Security threaten to engulf the programs. Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engulf was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

engulf

verb
en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
engulfment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on engulf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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