embark

American  

[em-bahrk] / ɛmˈbɑrk /

verb (used without object)

embarks, present (3rd person singular) embarked, past participle, past embarking present participle

1. to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, as for a journey.

2. to start an enterprise, business, etc.

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verb (used with object)

embarks, present (3rd person singular) embarked, past participle, past embarking present participle

1. to put or receive on board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.

2. to involve (someone) in an enterprise.

3. to venture or invest (something) in an enterprise.

embark British  

/ ɛmˈbɑːk /

verb

1. to board (a ship or aircraft)

2. (intr; usually foll by on or upon) to commence or engage (in) a new project, venture, etc

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• embarkation
  noun
• embarkment
  noun
• reembark
  verb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• embarking
  present
• embarked
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• embark
  simple
• embarks
  simple
• have embarked
  perfect
• has embarked
  perfect
• am embarking
  progressive
• are embarking
  progressive
• is embarking
  progressive
• have been embarking
  perfect progressive
• has been embarking
  perfect progressive

Past

• embarked
  simple
• had embarked
  perfect
• was embarking
  progressive
• were embarking
  progressive
• had been embarking
  perfect progressive

Future

• will embark
  simple
• will have embarked
  perfect
• will be embarking
  progressive
• will have been embarking
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of embark

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French embarquer, from Spanish embarcar; from em- em- ¹ + -barcar, verb derivative of barca bark ³

Explanation

When you embark on something, you are starting it — and it's exciting. You might embark on a new career or embark on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. You wouldn't embark on a trip to the grocery store. The verb embark can be used specifically to refer to boarding a ship for a journey. When used for general travel, the verb embark often implies a longer journey: "She embarked on a trip around the world." Besides physical journeys, embark can be used to mean to start other kinds of journeys as well. You might embark on a spiritual journey or embark on the path to enlightenment. Pack well.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

embark embarks embarked embarking

The Ministry of Defence has released five reports after the government promised to embark on a comprehensive examination of the information the department holds on medical records.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

At the top of your memo, write, “Please read all of this before you embark on the house swap.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026

The wildlife park said it believed Mary made an "abnormally large leap" to embark on her 15-day adventure.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

Drivers can once again embark on the state’s most famous road trip, covering the 100 miles between Cambria to the south and Carmel to the north without leaving the two-lane coastal highway.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

“Today,” she squeaked, “we are about to embark on a great experiment!”

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary embarks on a series of extramarital affairs after indulging in romantic fiction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

Until it embarks on a sustained and meaningful cultural shift, working cooperatively with patients and families, many fear it will continue to fail mothers and babies.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

Analysts see even bigger things ahead for Sandisk as the company embarks on a significant business transformation.

From MarketWatch ● May 1, 2026

The South Korean, already beloved in California as he embarks on his first full season, set up a first-half strike for David Martinez, before Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz sealed victory.

From Barron's ● Feb. 22, 2026

But if he embarks in business on his own account, he always exposes his capital to some, and in many cases to very great, danger of partial or total loss.

From Principles Of Political Economy Abridged with Critical, Bibliographical, and Explanatory Notes, and a Sketch of the History of Political Economy by Mill, John Stuart

As word of the attacks spread, Jordan’s government, normally reticent about foreign military deployments in the country, embarked on damage control.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Kai Sato, 39, embarked on an odyssey, but the trip he got was not the one he planned.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Renault has embarked on a massive electrification drive.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

But instead of helming “Troy,” starring a glistening Brad Pitt as Achilles, Nolan embarked on a genre-shifting Batman trilogy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

He stated that the defense would show that Umkhonto had not in fact adopted Operation Mayibuye, and that MK had not embarked on preparations for guerrilla warfare.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

When it came, she flew to Los Angeles in January 2025 during the wildfires, embarking on what would become the best job interview of her life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Tesla is embarking on a massive construction spree that Musk characterized on a conference call as probably the United States' "fastest industrial scale up since World War Two."

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

Spain had not won a World Cup knockout game since lifting the trophy in the South Africa tournament, before embarking on this run.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

WSJ takes you to the front lines of Ukraine’s ground drone revolution, where robots are embarking on dangerous missions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

Whereas Robert Stewart Howard was wealthy, his son evidently refused to base his life on its advantages, embarking on his westward journey with virtually no money to his name.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• commence
• enter
• launch