encompass
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to enclose within a circle; surround
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to bring about; cause to happen; contrive
he encompassed the enemy's ruin
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to include entirely or comprehensively
this book encompasses the whole range of knowledge
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has encompassedperfect 3rd person singular
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have encompassedperfect
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has been encompassingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been encompassingperfect progressive
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encompassessingular 3rd person
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are encompassingprogressive
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is encompassingprogressive 3rd person singular
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encompassingparticiple
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am encompassingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
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had encompassedperfect
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was encompassingprogressive singular
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had been encompassingperfect progressive
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encompassedsimple
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were encompassingprogressive plural
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encompassedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of encompass
Explanation
Encompass means to contain. When you see the word, picture a campus which encompasses lecture halls, a football field, a medical center, a dining hall and some parking lots. Encompass can be used when talking about anything that contains something else. A lecture on Edward Hopper might encompass all aspects of his life and art, a work of art could encompass many techniques, and a policeman's jurisdiction may encompass an entire state. The continental U.S. encompasses 48 states. This entry encompasses many examples of the word encompass in use!
Vocabulary lists containing encompass
Born a Crime
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The Things They Carried
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Unit 1: Telling Details
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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.
"Roman will extend the search far enough to encompass other galactic habitats, which could help us learn how planet formation varies across different regions of the Milky Way."
From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026
Art, increasingly, is maximized to encompass us, and Cosm understands this moment well.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
Discovery will encompass CNN, CBS, HBO, and Nickelodeon, as well as some of Hollywood's most valuable franchises, including "Harry Potter," "Game of Thrones," the DC Universe, "Mission: Impossible," and "SpongeBob SquarePants."
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon says an economic downturn sparked by weakness in credit would encompass more than just the private credit segment and be more severe than many expect.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
They weren’t even technically dinos, as if the creatures were so huge and ridiculous they needed their own entire type of monstrosity to encompass them.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
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.
