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
- embarkation noun
- embarkment noun
- reembark verb
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.
NASA’s Artemis II astronauts are undeniably making history as they embark on the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years.
From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026
Since then, she has faced down hardliners who have spent decades railing against the United States to embark on a series of US-backed reforms.
From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026
Davidson will now embark on her own transition as she moves from D.C. to L.A., rejoining her husband who has stayed in the area as a music professor at UC Irvine.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
When Rebekah Lee was in her twenties, she decided to embark on an ambitious climb up Mount Stuart in Washington State and "made a series of bad decisions".
From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026
Scene: After an uneventful Thanksgiving dinner, the three friends retire to Jupiter’s bedroom to while away an indeterminate number of hours while the parentals embark on whatever it is parentals embark on.
From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone
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.
