embark

[ em-bahrk ]

/ ɛmˈbɑrk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR embark ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

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

to start an enterprise, business, etc.

verb (used with object)

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

to involve (someone) in an enterprise.

to venture or invest (something) in an enterprise.

Nearby words

embankment, embar, embarcadero, embarcation, embargo, embark, embarkation, embarkment, embarras, embarras de richesses, embarrass

Origin of embark

1540–50; < Middle French embarquer < Spanish embarcar, equivalent to em- em-¹ + -barcar, verbal derivative of barca bark³

Related forms

re·em·bark, verb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for embark

Now that the Confucian-inspired mourning period is over, the son is free to embark on his own programs and policies.
Kim Jong Un’s Kid Gloves Are Now Off|Gordon G. Chang|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You may well be about to embark on four days of cosseting, eating, drinking, and sleeping.
How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Alive|Lizzie Crocker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the words of Shondo, a professional cage fighter turned Paladin, “It was my fate to embark on this journey.”
'The Quest' Review: Behold, a Campy 'Game of Thrones' Reality Show|Amy Zimmerman|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Churchill then decided to embark on a British cruiser, the Belfast, and watch the landings from offshore.
D-Day Historian Craig Symonds Talks About History’s Most Amazing Invasion|Marc Wortman|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

When I embark upon a film, I design a set of rules and create the film according to these rules.
Inside ‘Maidan’: Sergei Loznitsa on His Ukrainian Uprising Doc and Putin’s ‘Fascist’ Regime|Richard Porton|May 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When we were about to embark I suddenly thought of my little dog Stickeen and made the resolve to take him along.
Alaska Days with John Muir|Samuel Hall Young
In case Mahmud comes down upon you, at once embark in boats, and cross to the islands.
With Kitchener in the Soudan|G. A. Henty
The barge in which Agrippina was thus invited to embark, was the treacherous trap that Anicetus had contrived for her destruction.
Nero|Jacob Abbott
If they will embark in the cause, every Association should pray for difficulties sufficient to drive them out.
History of American Socialisms|John Humphrey Noyes
Individoouls, who git hard up, embark in the lecturin biznis.
The Complete Works of Artemus Ward|Charles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward)

British Dictionary definitions for embark

embark

/ (ɛmˈbɑːk) /

verb

to board (a ship or aircraft)

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

Derived Forms

embarkation, nounembarkment, noun

Word Origin for embark

C16: via French from Old Provençal embarcar, from em- + barca boat, barque

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