embark
ihm-BAHK
Embark (verb) means to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle at the start of a journey. Example: “Passengers began to embark shortly after dawn.”
verb
1
To board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle at the start of a journey.
"Passengers began to embark shortly after dawn."
2
To begin a new project, venture, or course of action.
"She embarked on a new career in her forties."
"The two countries embarked on a fresh round of peace talks."
How to use embark
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally, to get on board a ship or plane; figuratively, to set out on something new, like a project or journey in life.
Common pairings
embark on a journey
embark on a project
passengers embark
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- embarks
- Past tense
- embarked
Fill the gap
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Passengers began to _____ shortly after dawn.
Etymology
From French embarquer, built from em- ("in") and barque ("small boat").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for embark
See all rhymes for embark →Frequently asked questions
What does “embark” mean?
The word “embark” means to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle at the start of a journey. In plain terms, literally, to get on board a ship or plane; figuratively, to set out on something new, like a project or journey in life.
How do you pronounce “embark”?
“Embark” is pronounced ihm-BAHK (/ɪmˈbɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “embark” in a sentence?
Here is “embark” used in a sentence: “Passengers began to embark shortly after dawn.”
What is the opposite of “embark”?
The opposite of “embark” — its antonyms — is disembark.
What part of speech is “embark”?
“Embark” is a verb.
Where does the word “embark” come from?
The word “embark” comes from French. From French embarquer, built from em- ("in") and barque ("small boat").
Is “embark” a common word?
“Embark” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “embark” have?
“Embark” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle at the start of a journey.
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