embraced; embracing
3
a
: to take up especially readily or gladly
embrace a cause
b
: to avail oneself of : welcome
embraced the opportunity to study further
4
a
: to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole
charity embraces all acts that contribute to human welfare
b
: to be equal or equivalent to
his assets embraced $10
: to participate in an embrace
embracer
noun
1
: a close encircling with the arms and pressure to the chest especially as a sign of affection : hug
2
: grip, encirclement
in the embrace of terror
3
: acceptance
her embrace of new ideas
Synonyms
Examples of embrace in a Sentence
Verb
They embraced one last time before going their separate ways.
a politician who has been embraced by conservatives
Charity embraces all acts of generous giving.
It's a subject that embraces many areas of learning.
Noun
He held her in a warm embrace.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
The students embrace the challenge, though the Gurgels’ music is taking them into particularly demanding territory.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Bowen Yang and Chappell Roan shared a sweet embrace following the pop star’s musical guest debut on Saturday Night Live Season 50.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for embrace 
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Verb
The show was also intentional about embracing younger artists blazing new trails in the industry — from a medley with up-and-coming urban artists Eladio Carrión, Quevedo, Myke Towers, to a Spanglish performance by Joe Jonas and Ela Taubert, who is nominated for best new artist.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
The students embrace the challenge, though the Gurgels’ music is taking them into particularly demanding territory.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
But such a widespread embrace is definitely a big win for her.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Bowen Yang and Chappell Roan shared a sweet embrace following the pop star’s musical guest debut on Saturday Night Live Season 50.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for embrace
Dictionary Entries Near embrace
Cite this Entry
“Embrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embrace. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
embrace
1 of 2 verb
em·brace
im-ˈbrās 
embraced; embracing
1
: to clasp in the arms : hug
2
: to enclose on all sides
low hills embraced the valley
3
a
: to take up readily or gladly
embrace a cause
b
: to make use of : welcome
embrace an opportunity
4
embraceable
adjective
-ˈbrā-sə-bəl
embracer
noun
embrace
2 of 2 noun
: a close encircling with the arms : hug
Etymology
Verb
early French embracer "to hug, embrace," literally, "to put into the two arms," from em- "into" and brace "two arms," derived from Latin bracchium "arm" — related to brace entry 1, bracelet
Word Origin
One of the meanings of the English word brace is "two of a kind," as in "a brace of quail." In early French, however, the word brace, from which we get our English words brace and embrace, had a more limited meaning of "two arms." The early French brace came from the plural form of the Latin word bracchium, meaning "arm." When combined with the early French prefix em-, meaning "to put into," the word formed the verb embracer, which meant literally "to put into the two arms"; in other words, "to hug." In time the word was borrowed into English and became embrace.
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