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

Origin of embark

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

Related formsre·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 Formsembarkation, 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

Word Origin and History for embark

embark

1540s, from Middle French embarquer, from em- (see en- (1)) + barque "small ship" (see bark (n.)). Related: Embarked; embarking.

embark

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of embark

Examples from the Web for embark

British Dictionary definitions for embark

embark

verb

Word Origin for embark

Word Origin and History for embark

embark