embark
Americanverb (used without object)
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to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, as for a journey.
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to start an enterprise, business, etc.
verb (used with object)
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to put or receive on board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
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to involve (someone) in an enterprise.
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to venture or invest (something) in an enterprise.
verb
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to board (a ship or aircraft)
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(intr; usually foll by on or upon) to commence or engage (in) a new project, venture, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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embarksimple
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embarkssimple
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have embarkedperfect
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has embarkedperfect
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am embarkingprogressive
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are embarkingprogressive
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is embarkingprogressive
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have been embarkingperfect progressive
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has been embarkingperfect progressive
Past
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embarkedsimple
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had embarkedperfect
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was embarkingprogressive
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were embarkingprogressive
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had been embarkingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing embark
Vocabulary from "There Will Never Be an Age of Artificial Intimacy," by Sherry Turkle
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Vocabulary from Donald Trump's Victory Speech, November 9, 2016
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Vocabulary from news articles about rescued teenage sailor
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The wildlife park said it believed Mary made an "abnormally large leap" to embark on her 15-day adventure.
From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026
And it is clear Tuchel wants England to be just as ready physically as in the football context as they embark on their quest to win the World Cup.
From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026
Now, Sorsby is free to embark on his fifth season of college football after a two-game suspension stipulated in the injunction.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Drivers can once again embark on the state’s most famous road trip, covering the 100 miles between Cambria to the south and Carmel to the north without leaving the two-lane coastal highway.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
It is this very anomaly, on the other hand, which makes these texts the perfect place to embark on a new, post-Kuhnian history of science.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
