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.
An ordinary film engulfed in extraordinary tragedy. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025 The contaminated water released toxic gas that briefly engulfed Dunsmuir and made hundreds of people ill. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025 In 2011, just before a tsunami engulfed the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, the Swiss parliament had discussed discontinuing the 1963 shelter mandate. Jessi Jezewska Stevens, The Dial, 24 Apr. 2025 Loading your audio article One person was displaced following a fire in Groton early Thursday that engulfed a home in flames and required mutual aid from numerous area fire departments. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 9 May. 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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