encompassing

American  

[en-kuhm-puh-sing] / ɛnˈkʌm pə sɪŋ /

adjective

1. forming a circle around something; encircling or surrounding.

   She serves the whole Anchorage real estate market, including the encompassing communities.

2. comprehensively including, addressing, or dealing with all parts or aspects of something.

   Whether as a regular treatment or a special indulgence, your fully encompassing spa experience will leave you looking and feeling fantastic!

3. fully enclosing or enveloping something.

   As she looked out reflectively over the lake, the encompassing quiet was sliced by the shrill sound of her cell phone.

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noun

1. the act or state of surrounding, enclosing, or comprehensively including something.

   The term “diaspora” allows for the encompassing of a wider range of people and experiences than “immigrants.”

Etymology

Origin of encompassing

First recorded in 1565–75; encompass ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; encompass ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

According to the December consumer-price index, inflation in shelter costs remains stubbornly high, encompassing things like rent, hotel lodging and home insurance.

From MarketWatch

The game has changed dramatically since my era, when management was about total control, encompassing all football matters.

From BBC

Here are six big reasons, encompassing dozens of little reasons.

From Los Angeles Times

Though encompassing fashion trends, the Queen's instantly recognisable style remained "very elegant, quintessentially British and restrained", says de Guitaut.

From BBC

For now, the Christmas Eve decision only applies to ICE’s San Francisco Area of Responsibility, a region encompassing all of Northern and Central California, as far south as Bakersfield.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enveloping