embed

[ verb em-bed; noun em-bed ]
See synonyms for: embedembeddedembedding on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),em·bed·ded, em·bed·ding.
  1. to fix into a surrounding mass: to embed stones in cement.

  2. to surround tightly or firmly; envelop or enclose: Thick cotton padding embedded the precious vase in its box.

  1. to incorporate or contain as an essential part or characteristic: A love of color is embedded in all of her paintings.

  2. Histology. to infiltrate (a biological tissue) with molten paraffin or other plastic material that later solidifies, enabling the preparation to be sliced very thin for viewing under a microscope.

  3. Mathematics. to map (a set) into another set.

  4. Grammar. to insert (a construction, as a phrase or clause) into a larger construction, as a clause or sentence.

    • to assign (a journalist) to travel with a military unit or a political campaign: The photojournalists were embedded in Afghanistan with U.S. troops.We've embedded a reporter with each of the presidential candidates.

    • to invite (an expert, creative professional, etc.) to work closely with a group or participate in a special event: We have embedded writers within our acting companies, and now have playwrights writing pieces for the actors they are working with.

  5. Digital Technology. to place (text, images, sound, or computer code) in a computer file, HTML document, software program, or electronic device: Here's how to embed videos on your website.

verb (used without object),em·bed·ded, em·bed·ding.
  1. to be or become fixed or incorporated, as into a surrounding mass: Glass embeds in the soft tar of the road.

noun
  1. a person who has been embedded, as with a military unit.

  2. a period of time during which a person is embedded.

Origin of embed

1
First recorded in 1770–80; em-1 + bed
  • Sometimes im·bed [im-bed] /ɪmˈbɛd/ .

Other words from embed

  • em·bed·ment, noun

Words Nearby embed

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use embed in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for embed

embed

imbed

/ (ɪmˈbɛd) /


verb-beds, -bedding or -bedded
  1. (usually foll by in) to fix or become fixed firmly and deeply in a surrounding solid mass: to embed a nail in wood

  2. (tr) to surround closely: hard rock embeds the roots

  1. (tr) to fix or retain (a thought, idea, etc) in the mind

  2. (often foll by with) to assign a journalist or be assigned as one to accompany an active military unit

  3. (tr) grammar to insert (a subordinate clause) into a sentence

noun(ˈɪmbɛd)
  1. a journalist accompanying an active military unit

Derived forms of embed

  • embedment, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012