envelop

verb

en·​vel·​op in-ˈve-ləp How to pronounce envelop (audio)
en-
enveloped; enveloping; envelops

transitive verb

1
: to enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
2
: to mount an attack on (an enemy's flank)
envelopment noun

Examples of envelop in a Sentence

a chronic mistrust of outsiders envelops that neighborhood, cutting it off from the rest of the city the truth of the presidential assassination is enveloped in a dense fog of myths and conspiracy theories
Recent Examples on the Web The Silicon Valley community is interested in attracting and enveloping as many consumers onto horizontally and vertically integrated platforms that touch nearly every aspect of our global digital economy. Jon Kirchner, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 In the summertime, it’s cleaned to prepare for the possible rupture of late August fires known to envelop homes and the wilderness in a haze of smoke. Fariha Róisín, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023 Lots of sunshine and clear blue skies are once again enveloping the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are bounding about the grounds in search of creatures to annoy. Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 Nov. 2023 Invisible magnetic field lines envelop most planets in the solar system, including Earth. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023 Tammy Reese was preparing chicken pot pie in the kitchen of a Pennsylvania social club a few years ago when a fireball enveloped her stove in a blinding flash. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023 Yes, the Shamrock Chargers remain cocooned, alone, enveloped in bubble wrap, relative to the other 31 clubs the past 17-plus years. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2023 The property is hidden off a main drag and completely enveloped in five acres of tropical greenery with four swimming pools and a stretch of beach. Tracey Minkin, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2023 The utter unpredictability of the course of Israel’s confrontation with Hamas came into horrifying relief Tuesday when a fiery blast enveloped a hospital in Gaza City that was packed with Palestinian civilians seeking shelter from ongoing airstrikes, killing hundreds. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'envelop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English envolupen, from Anglo-French envoluper, envoleper, from en- + voluper to wrap

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of envelop was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near envelop

Cite this Entry

“Envelop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/envelop. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

envelop

verb
en·​vel·​op in-ˈvel-əp How to pronounce envelop (audio)
: to surround and enclose completely with or as if with a covering
envelopment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on envelop

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