embark
Americanverb (used without object)
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to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, as for a journey.
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to start an enterprise, business, etc.
verb (used with object)
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to put or receive on board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
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to involve (someone) in an enterprise.
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to venture or invest (something) in an enterprise.
verb
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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
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embarkssimple
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have embarkedperfect
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has embarkedperfect
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am embarkingprogressive
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are embarkingprogressive
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is embarkingprogressive
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have been embarkingperfect progressive
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has been embarkingperfect progressive
Past
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embarkedsimple
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had embarkedperfect
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was embarkingprogressive
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were embarkingprogressive
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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:
In 2027, Ibeyi will embark on a North American tour, which kicks off Jan. 27 at the Fillmore in San Francisco and includes a stop at Pacific Electric in Los Angeles on Jan. 29.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 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
And it is clear Tuchel wants England to be just as ready physically as in the football context as they embark on their quest to win the World Cup.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
Now, Sorsby is free to embark on his fifth season of college football after a two-game suspension stipulated in the injunction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
When it first appeared, Halley was about to embark on the typical wealthy young gentleman’s Grand Tour of Europe, accompanied by an old schoolfriend, Robert Nelson.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
According to the post, Nautas’ name evokes the spirit of a “sailor, navigator, voyager, one who embarks on a journey and fears not the unknown.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026
Analysts see even bigger things ahead for Sandisk as the company embarks on a significant business transformation.
From MarketWatch ● May 1, 2026
Italy’s Nexi expects earnings growth to reaccelerate through 2028 following a transition year in 2026 as it embarks on a new midterm strategic plan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 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
He is banished from the city—and embarks in a Cretan vessel.
From Beauty Illustrated Chiefly by an Analysis and Classificatin of Beauty in Woman by Walker, Alexander
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
Four months after the China tour, Wham! embarked on a sell out stadium tour of the United States, cashing in on the global attention Napier-Bell had promised.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
Without a backward look, with my mother, brothers, and sister, I embarked on my first train ride.
From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson
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
State Farm is embarking on an AI makeover, giving tech tools to agents and more online services to customers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
"It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham FC, the oldest club in London," he said.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
But before embarking on a mad shopping spree to build up your points base, there are a few pitfalls to avoid.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 5, 2026
They had visited briefly in early May, just before embarking on the ship.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
