encompassing

[en-kuhm-puh-sing]

adjective

1. forming a circle around something; encircling or surrounding.

   She serves the whole Anchorage real estate market, including the encompassing communities.

2. comprehensively including, addressing, or dealing with all parts or aspects of something.

   Whether as a regular treatment or a special indulgence, your fully encompassing spa experience will leave you looking and feeling fantastic!

3. fully enclosing or enveloping something.

   As she looked out reflectively over the lake, the encompassing quiet was sliced by the shrill sound of her cell phone.

noun

1. the act or state of surrounding, enclosing, or comprehensively including something.

   The term “diaspora” allows for the encompassing of a wider range of people and experiences than “immigrants.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of encompassing¹

First recorded in 1565–75; encompass ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; encompass ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

President and CEO Joe Hogan pointed to growth outside the U.S., particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, and the EMEA, a broad geographic region encompassing Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

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Mr. Persico’s account is sweeping, encompassing a vast amount of compelling evidence.

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The wide-ranging plan encompassing political, economic, social and environmental goals will then be approved in March by the legislature.

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It sprawls 90 miles along the Pacific Coast, encompassing gems such as Baker Beach.

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In retaliation, Israel launched a furious response that has so far killed 67,183 people, encompassing more than 3% of the enclave’s population and including 20,179 children, the Palestinian Health Ministry says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enveloping www.thesaurus.com