embark

verb

em·​bark im-ˈbärk 

embarked; embarking; embarks

intransitive verb

1

: to go on board a vehicle for transportation

the troops embarked at noon

2

: to make a start

embarked on a new career

transitive verb

1

: to cause to go on board (a boat, an airplane, etc.)

2

: to engage, enlist, or invest in an enterprise

embarkation

ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən 

-bər-

noun

embarkment

im-ˈbärk-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• begin
• commence
• enter (into or upon)
• fall (to)
• get off
• kick off
• launch
• lead off
• open
• start
• strike (into)

Examples of embark in a Sentence

The troops are waiting to embark.

Millions of Europeans embarked for America in the late 19th century.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the ski world, Deer Valley embarks on an exciting new era with a new hotel in its new base village. —Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024

For an even deeper comparison, Metallica’s previous album cycle for Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (2016) saw the band embark on their World Wired Tour between 2016 and 2019. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Ullmark returning to form, and the Senators’ rising confidence, bodes well as the team embarks on a season-long, nine-game road trip starting Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. —Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024

In March, Wyatt will embark on his first headlining tour of clubs, armed with only his guitar. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French embarquer, from Old Occitan embarcar, from em- (from Latin in-) + barca bark

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing embark

• embark on/upon

Kids Definition

embark

verb

em·​bark im-ˈbärk 

1

: to go or put on board a ship or airplane

2

: to begin some task or project

embark on a career

embarkation

ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən 

noun

embarkment

im-ˈbärk-mənt 

noun