embark

American  

[em-bahrk] / ɛmˈbɑrk /

verb (used without object)

• embarks,
  present (3rd person singular)
• embarked,
  past participle,  past
• embarking
  present participle

1. 

   to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, as for a journey.

2. to start an enterprise, business, etc.

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verb (used with object)

• embarks,
  present (3rd person singular)
• embarked,
  past participle,  past
• embarking
  present participle

1. to put or receive on board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.

2. to involve (someone) in an enterprise.

3. to venture or invest (something) in an enterprise.

embark British  

/ ɛmˈbɑːk /

verb

1. to board (a ship or aircraft)

2. (intr; usually foll by on or upon) to commence or engage (in) a new project, venture, etc

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• embarkation
  noun
• embarkment
  noun
• reembark
  verb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• embarking
  present
• embarked
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• embark
  simple
• embarks
  simple
• have embarked
  perfect
• has embarked
  perfect
• am embarking
  progressive
• are embarking
  progressive
• is embarking
  progressive
• have been embarking
  perfect progressive
• has been embarking
  perfect progressive

Past

• embarked
  simple
• had embarked
  perfect
• was embarking
  progressive
• were embarking
  progressive
• had been embarking
  perfect progressive

Future

• will embark
  simple
• will have embarked
  perfect
• will be embarking
  progressive
• will have been embarking
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of embark

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French embarquer, from Spanish embarcar; from em- em- ¹ + -barcar, verb derivative of barca bark ³

Explanation

When you embark on something, you are starting it — and it's exciting. You might embark on a new career or embark on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. You wouldn't embark on a trip to the grocery store. The verb embark can be used specifically to refer to boarding a ship for a journey. When used for general travel, the verb embark often implies a longer journey: "She embarked on a trip around the world." Besides physical journeys, embark can be used to mean to start other kinds of journeys as well. You might embark on a spiritual journey or embark on the path to enlightenment. Pack well.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

embark embarks embarked embarking

The 407-foot-tall rocket was scheduled to embark on a nearly 10-hour mission in which it was to complete six orbits around the Earth before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

The pressure is mounting as aggressive competitors embark on an unprecedented poaching spree.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

In November, we will embark on our annual Amtrak pilgrimage to the Midwest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

After all the buildup, the Rams are ready to embark on their quest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

Still, Percy couldn’t imagine what kind of courage it had taken for Frank to embark on a quest, knowing that one small flame could snuff out his life.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Fast-food chain Wendy’s has brought in former McDonald’s executive Tariq Hassan as the chain embarks on a new strategic plan to revitalize sales.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

He will also focus on ways of "improving high streets" as he embarks on a tour of the UK.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

According to the post, Nautas’ name evokes the spirit of a “sailor, navigator, voyager, one who embarks on a journey and fears not the unknown.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

Analysts see even bigger things ahead for Sandisk as the company embarks on a significant business transformation.

From MarketWatch ● May 1, 2026

One cannot imagine a more terrible position for a man of conscience to be placed in, but once even a cardinal embarks in politics the working of his conscience is temporarily suspended.

From Henry VIII and His Court 6th edition by Herbert Tree

To help promote it, Wang embarked on a zany personal social-media campaign.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

He had embarked on that trip to get funds to rebuild his family’s home after an earthquake in 2016, said his mother, Elena Véliz.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

It examines how Corless was faced with the silence of church and state as she embarked on a campaign for justice.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

When UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham embarked on his trip to the United Nations in New York, he might not have been expecting a question about football fans drinking alcohol in grounds.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

Now he himself embarked, lay down, lay still, while oarsmen took their places at the rowlocks all in order.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

The 407-foot-tall rocket is embarking on a nearly 10-hour mission in which it is to complete six orbits around the Earth before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

While Washburn does tour with a small band, whenever possible, he is by himself, off the grid, out surfing, camping or embarking on whimsical construction projects.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Maddie and Avery were living in New York after college, in their 20s and embarking on careers in art and fashion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

Unusually for a royal, he was educated at local state schools before embarking upon a four-year-long naval career, graduating from the Norwegian Naval Academy in 1995.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

Whereas Robert Stewart Howard was wealthy, his son evidently refused to base his life on its advantages, embarking on his westward journey with virtually no money to his name.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• commence
• enter
• launch