embark

verb

USim-BARK/ɪmˈbɑɹk/UKim-BAHK/ɪmˈbɑːk/

5 meanings of embark

1
verbintransitive
To begin or set out upon something, especially a journey, undertaking, or new venture.
The students embark on their research projects in September.
She embarked on a demanding career in medicine after graduation.
Similarbegin, start (entry), launch
2
verbintransitive
To go aboard a ship, boat, or aircraft for a journey.
Soldiers embark at dawn for the crossing.
Travelers embarked onto the ferry as the horn sounded.
Similarboard
Oppositedisembark
3
verbtransitive
To cause people, troops, or cargo to go on board a vessel or boat.
The officers embark their troops under cover of darkness.
The port authority embarked thousands of evacuees within hours.
Oppositedisembark
4
verbtransitive
To engage or commit people, money, or other resources in an undertaking.
The founders embark substantial capital in every promising idea.
The campaign embarked hundreds of supporters in its grassroots effort.
Similarinvest, commit, engage
5
verbtransitive
To cover or enclose something with bark, especially the outer layer of a tree.
Craftsmen embark the canoe frame in layers of birch bark.
The villagers embarked their storehouse with overlapping bark sheets.

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–4

Borrowed from Middle French "embarquer," formed from "em-" plus "barque" (a small ship). It is related to Portuguese "embarcar" and Spanish "abarcar."

Meaning 5

Formed from the prefix "em-" plus "bark."