embed

American  

[em-bed, em-bed] / ɛmˈbɛd, ˈɛmˌbɛd /

Sometimes imbed

verb (used with object)

• embeds,
  present (3rd person singular)
• embedded,
  past participle,  past
• embedding
  present participle

1. 

   to fix into a surrounding mass.

   to embed stones in cement.

2. to surround tightly or firmly; envelop or enclose.

   Thick cotton padding embedded the precious vase in its box.

3. to incorporate or contain as an essential part or characteristic.

   A love of color is embedded in all of her paintings.

4. Histology. to infiltrate (a biological tissue) with molten paraffin or other plastic material that later solidifies, enabling the preparation to be sliced very thin for viewing under a microscope.

5. Mathematics. to map (a set) into another set.

6. Grammar. to insert (a construction, as a phrase or clause) into a larger construction, as a clause or sentence.

7. 1. to assign (a journalist) to travel with a military unit or a political campaign: We've embedded a reporter with each of the presidential candidates.

      The photojournalists were embedded in Afghanistan with U.S. troops.

      We've embedded a reporter with each of the presidential candidates.

   2. to invite (an expert, creative professional, etc.) to work closely with a group or participate in a special event.

      We have embedded writers within our acting companies, and now have playwrights writing pieces for the actors they are working with.

8. Digital Technology. to place (text, images, sound, or computer code) in a computer file, HTML document, software program, or electronic device.

   Here's how to embed videos on your website.

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verb (used without object)

• embeds,
  present (3rd person singular)
• embedded,
  past participle,  past
• embedding
  present participle

1. to be or become fixed or incorporated, as into a surrounding mass.

   Glass embeds in the soft tar of the road.

noun

1. a person who has been embedded, as with a military unit.

2. a period of time during which a person is embedded.

embed British  

/ ɪmˈbɛd /

verb

1. (usually foll by in) to fix or become fixed firmly and deeply in a surrounding solid mass

   to embed a nail in wood

2. (tr) to surround closely

   hard rock embeds the roots

3. (tr) to fix or retain (a thought, idea, etc) in the mind

4. (often foll by with) to assign a journalist or be assigned as one to accompany an active military unit

5. (tr) grammar to insert (a subordinate clause) into a sentence

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noun

1. a journalist accompanying an active military unit

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• embedment
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• embedding
  present
• embedded
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• embed
  simple
• embeds
  simple
• have embedded
  perfect
• has embedded
  perfect
• am embedding
  progressive
• are embedding
  progressive
• is embedding
  progressive
• have been embedding
  perfect progressive
• has been embedding
  perfect progressive

Past

• embedded
  simple
• had embedded
  perfect
• was embedding
  progressive
• were embedding
  progressive
• had been embedding
  perfect progressive

Future

• will embed
  simple
• will have embedded
  perfect
• will be embedding
  progressive
• will have been embedding
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of embed

First recorded in 1770–80; em- ¹ + bed

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Explanation

The verb embed means to implant something or someone — like to embed a stone into a garden pathway or to embed a journalist in a military unit. When you stick something firmly within a particular environment, you are embedding it. If you are an archeologist, you might spend a lot of your time looking for pottery shards embedded in the earth. If you are a web site designer, you might embed video clips on web pages. And if your newspaper is covering a war overseas, you might consider embedding a journalist in a military troop in order to have a source reporting back from the front lines.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

embed embeds embedded embedding

All while trying to embed a clutch of new players.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Robinhood’s launch is part of an industrywide push to embed AI tools in how everyday Americans research, plan and execute their investments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

Gap is partnering with the new boy band Just Your Type as part of a push into entertainment to embed its brands deeper into popular culture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

To help embed him in L.A.’s dining culture and lead the kitchen day to day, he hired Wally’s and Patina alum Ryan Kluver.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

“It must have come from the Indian Ocean. They used to kind of embed it in the glass. That wasn’t made less than a hundred years ago. More, by the look of it.”

From "1984" by George Orwell

“Digital attacks on physical systems create physical problems,” said Gianni Cuozzo, chief executive of Exein, an Italian startup that embeds security software into microchips used in devices from televisions to vending machines and ventilation systems.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

But as the firm increasingly embeds itself in public bodies, the opinions and influence of its leaders leave some fearful.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

In our work, we see these two scenarios unfolding firsthand: One of us advises corporate boards on what to watch for in AI; the other embeds AI into investor workflows.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 10, 2026

Still, it embeds a fair bit of caution.

From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026

The fine modern Gothic pile to our right embeds, as we see, an ancient gateway.

From Highways and Byways in Cambridge and Ely by Edward Conybeare

AFP reporters on the scene in the central region of Castilla-La Mancha saw one train embedded into another after the second such accident to strike Spain this year.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

The geopolitical risk “premium” embedded in oil prices also looks likely to “remain high for an extended period time,” said Thummel.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026

From airfares to computer game download prices, there are the first signs of stickier forms of price pressure and of higher inflation becoming more embedded, suggesting elevated price rises are not temporary.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Those electrons can flip their own spins in ways that partially cancel the magnetic moment of the embedded atom.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

Brian had a mental picture of the porcupine coming into his shelter in the dark, throwing the hatchet and hitting the rock embedded in the wall and getting sparks.

From "The River" by Gary Paulsen

Traditionally, researchers have accomplished this by trapping atoms or molecules in a vacuum or embedding them inside solid materials.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026

“The status quo of our officer pipelines is pretty good, but the future will be even better by embedding continuous military discipline and leadership development into new institutions,” Hegseth said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

The company is seeking more access to the lucrative wealth management sector by embedding itself in the technology that financial advisors use.

From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026

"This decision marks a pivotal step in embedding a focus on socio-economic inequality into the heart of government," she said in a statement.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

‘Preferably one that doesn’t involve embedding my pain in the stones.’

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

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