embedded

American  

[em-bed-id] / ɛmˈbɛd ɪd /

Sometimes imbedded

adjective

1. fixed or snugly enclosed in a surrounding mass.

   The young turtles are weighed, measured, and tagged with an embedded microchip before being released back into the salt marsh.

2. incorporated into something as an essential characteristic.

   In any cultural context, deeply embedded values and attitudes can be difficult to change.

3. 1. being or relating to a journalist assigned to travel with a military unit or political campaign.

      He was an embedded reporter with the First Marine Division during the invasion of Iraq.

   2. working closely with a group or participating in a special event as an invited expert, creative professional, etc..

      As Radio 3’s first embedded composer, he is writing one new piece of music a week for the breakfast show.

4. Digital Technology. (of text, images, sound, or code) placed in a computer file, HTML document, software program, or electronic device.

   Click here or watch the embedded video below to learn more about the work of our Foundation.

5. Grammar. (of a construction, as a phrase or clause) inserted into a larger construction, as a clause or sentence.

   Informative texts often include unfamiliar technical vocabulary and complex sentences with embedded clauses.

6. Histology. (of biological tissue) infiltrated with melted paraffin or other such material that later solidifies, enabling the preparation to be sliced very thin for viewing under a microscope (sometimes used in combination).

   The fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues were cut into sections 5 μm thick and mounted on glass slides.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of embed.

Etymology

Origin of embedded

embed ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Mastick and her team opened 178 cans and carefully dissected the preserved fish, counting tiny parasitic worms known as anisakids embedded in the flesh.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

“Things could change quickly if Middle Eastern tensions simmer down, but the longer oil routes remain blocked, the more embedded hawkish forecasts will become,” Nathan noted.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Once, when I was eight years old, I found a stone arrowhead embedded in the stump of an ancient oak tree up on the mountain behind my house.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

The only illumination came from small path lighting embedded in the floor.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

At the hospital, Finn was poked, prodded, X-rayed, plucked free of embedded gravel, rubbed down with stinging antiseptic, and swaddled in bandages.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby

Related Words

• fixed
• ingrained
• installed
• planted