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

Mr. Sharon’s direction wove together the different strands of the opera and the production, exploring the narrative and themes while encompassing the humanity of the characters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

The evacuation order was unprecedented in scale, encompassing a 6-square-mile, densely populated residential area with hundreds of thousands of people.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

"To be recognised by you all, 'thank you' does not come anywhere near to encompassing what we feel, the gratitude," Lindo said.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Retired Indian diplomat Rakesh Sood described New Delhi's ties with Nepal as "extensive", encompassing trade, tourism and hydropower.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

But the victory at Duke was real enough—only less encompassing or durable than many believed.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• enveloping