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 embarked

TLC promptly pulled the plug on the hit series and Shannon embarked on a press tour denying the claims.
Butts, Brawls, and Bill Cosby: The Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2014 |Kevin Fallon|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the late 1970s, Merritt had embarked on a string of criminal activity that would continue regularly for a decade.
Family's Best Friend Charged With Murdering Them All|Nina Strochlic|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On October 17, Rebecca More embarked on a cross-country tour of Britain.
The X Factor of Sex Invades Britain: Rebecca More’s ‘Sex Tour’ Enrages UK Politicians|Marlow Stern|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Recently, historians have embarked on a quest to find the remains of the woman with the famous smile.
The Life of Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, the (Most Likely) Real 'Mona Lisa'|Justin Jones|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This summer Dick Cheney, his wife Lynne and daughter Liz have embarked upon a sustained campaign of reputation rehabilitation.
Three Dicks: Cheney, Nixon, Richard III and the Art of Reputation Rehab|Clive Irving|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a great peril, for all the silver and merchandise was embarked for the voyage.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume XXII, 1625-29|Various
Having passed it, we travelled through woods for two or three miles, when we embarked in a canoe for the Cape.
Journal of Voyages|Jacob Dunham
We embarked six days ago in a packet-ship, but just outside the harbour of Cadiz we were captured by those two corsairs.
The Exemplary Novels of Cervantes|Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
The Miss Vernons' father had an only and a younger brother, who at an early age had embarked for the East, in the civil service.
A Love Story|A Bushman
Most of the soldiers dismounted and embarked with us, a few only being sent round with the horses.
Byron's Narrative of the Loss of the Wager|John Byron

British Dictionary definitions for embarked

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 embarked

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 embarked

embark

verb

Word Origin for embark

embark