Dictionary.com

embrace

1
[ em-breys ]
/ ɛmˈbreɪs /
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See synonyms for: embrace / embraced / embraces / embracing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.
verb (used without object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.
to join in an embrace.
noun
an act or instance of embracing.
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Origin of embrace

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French embracier, equivalent to em- em-1 + bracier “to embrace,” derivative of brace “the two arms”; see brace

synonym study for embrace

7. See include.

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brace·a·ble, adjectiveem·brace·ment, nounem·brac·er, nounun·em·brace·a·ble, adjective

Other definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

embrace2
[ em-breys ]
/ ɛmˈbreɪs /

verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.Law.
to attempt to influence (a judge or jury) through corrupt means.

Origin of embrace

2
First recorded in 1420–1475; late Middle English: “to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury),” perhaps the same word as embrace1

OTHER WORDS FROM embrace

em·brac·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use embrace in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (1 of 2)

embrace1
/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /

verb (mainly tr)
noun
the act of embracing
(often plural) euphemistic sexual intercourse

Derived forms of embrace

embraceable, adjectiveembracement, nounembracer, noun

Word Origin for embrace

C14: from Old French embracier, from em- + brace a pair of arms, from Latin bracchia arms

British Dictionary definitions for embrace (2 of 2)

embrace2
/ (ɪmˈbreɪs) /

verb
(tr) criminal law to commit or attempt to commit embracery against (a jury, etc)

Word Origin for embrace

C15: back formation from embraceor
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
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