embark
Americanverb (used without object)
-
embarks,
present (3rd person singular)
-
embarked,
past participle, past
-
embarking
present participle
-
to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, as for a journey.
-
to start an enterprise, business, etc.
verb (used with object)
-
embarks,
present (3rd person singular)
-
embarked,
past participle, past
-
embarking
present participle
-
to put or receive on board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
-
to involve (someone) in an enterprise.
-
to venture or invest (something) in an enterprise.
verb
-
to board (a ship or aircraft)
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(intr; usually foll by on or upon) to commence or engage (in) a new project, venture, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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embarksimple
-
embarkssimple
-
have embarkedperfect
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has embarkedperfect
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am embarkingprogressive
-
are embarkingprogressive
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is embarkingprogressive
-
have been embarkingperfect progressive
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has been embarkingperfect progressive
Past
-
embarkedsimple
-
had embarkedperfect
-
was embarkingprogressive
-
were embarkingprogressive
-
had been embarkingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing embark
Vocabulary from "There Will Never Be an Age of Artificial Intimacy," by Sherry Turkle
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Vocabulary from Donald Trump's Victory Speech, November 9, 2016
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Vocabulary from news articles about rescued teenage sailor
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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.
See Examples For:
Bushby previously said he had always had a "wanderlust", and his opportunity to embark on this journey came following the end of his marriage, with his wife returning to Northern Ireland with their son.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
As Jason put it this week, “Baseball is about to embark on a necessary but dangerous battle for its soul.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2026
The 77-year-old king, who is receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, will embark on a jam-packed trip to some of the furthest corners of the Commonwealth taking in three countries in nine days.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
When their matriarch convinces the family to embark on a bucket-list road trip around the island, old family secrets surface as the 2019 protests following Hurricane Maria unfold around them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
When I decided to compose this intellectual autobiography, a New York editor told me that I would embark on a lonely journey.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
As Radcliff embarks on his investing journey, he has a goal of graduating debt-free with $250,000 in assets.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026
The announcement about the next film's producers referred to keeping Bond's spirit alive "as he embarks on his next adventure", seemingly confirming that Bond would remain male.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
Fast-food chain Wendy’s has brought in former McDonald’s executive Tariq Hassan as the chain embarks on a new strategic plan to revitalize sales.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
In order to learn, Sullivan, played by Joel McCrea, embarks on a road trip disguised as a tramp and all kinds of terrible things happen to him that happen to people without resources.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
I have been sitting here almost ever since we left Geneva, and, of course, I can’t see the gangway from here, or who lands, or who embarks.
From Fordham's Feud by Bertram Mitford
To appeal to parents, the company has embarked on a five-year quest to reinvent the Goldfish, including by making a gluten-free option of the popular children’s snack.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2026
Boeing embarked on a turnaround plan under CEO Kelly Ortberg, an industry veteran who took the reins in 2024.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
They embarked on media careers which included a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey and a deal with Netflix and Spotify.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
After two decades working in haute couture and cosmetic companies owned by her husband, Hubert d’Ornano, the couple embarked on a joint business endeavor by founding Sisley Paris.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
We were soon embarked; they rowed us out toward the Crepuscule.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Before embarking on this job search, Johnson, 35, had never really looked for a job.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
Under the direction of new CEO Josh D’Amaro, the company is embarking on a path toward becoming a “more efficient” and “much smaller organization,” leaning on further internal consolidation and more external deals.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
The band’s five members are embarking on a music tour performing at malls and will do meet-and-greets in Gap stores.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
All were embarking on the hardest of homecomings, beginning all over again - with almost nothing.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
And like McCandless, upon embarking on his terminal odyssey, Ruess adopted a new name or, rather, a series of new names.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
