embark

verb

em·​bark im-ˈbärk How to pronounce embark (audio)
embarked; embarking; embarks
Synonyms of embarknext

intransitive verb

1
: to go on board a vehicle for transportation
the troops embarked at noon
2
: to make a start
embarked on a new career

transitive verb

1
: to cause to go on board (a boat, an airplane, etc.)
2
: to engage, enlist, or invest in an enterprise
embarkation
ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce embark (audio)
-bər-
noun
embarkment
im-ˈbärk-mənt How to pronounce embark (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Examples of embark in a Sentence

The troops are waiting to embark. Millions of Europeans embarked for America in the late 19th century.
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.
Check road conditions: Before embarking on your journey, verify the current road conditions to make informed travel decisions. — Bay Area Weather Report, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2025 Today, the Trump administration, aided by Elon Musk’s dodgy DOGE operation, is embarking on an anti-New Deal by slashing thousands of federal jobs and shrinking the government to the size of something Grover Norquist could drown in a bathtub. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025 Typically, a ball would drop straight into the water, but the American’s took a different journey, embarking on a precarious journey across the wooden surface as the noise from the crowd increased in volume. — Ben Morse, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025 The two lonely souls embark on a new journey together. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for embark

Word History

Etymology

Middle French embarquer, from Old Occitan embarcar, from em- (from Latin in-) + barca bark

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of embark was in 1533

Phrases Containing embark

Rhymes for embark

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Browse Nearby Words

embark
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Cite this Entry

“Embark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embark. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

embark

verb
em·​bark im-ˈbärk How to pronounce embark (audio)
1
: to go or put on board a ship or airplane
2
: to begin some task or project
embark on a career
embarkation
ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce embark (audio)
noun
embarkment
im-ˈbärk-mənt How to pronounce embark (audio)
noun

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