encompass

verb

Sayin-KUM-puhsUK/ɪnˈkʌmpəs//ɪnˈkɐmpəs/

Formsencompasses, encompassing, encompassed

4 meanings of encompass

1
verbtransitive
To include something completely, covering all its parts.
Like a big box that holds every smaller box inside it.
The course encompasses everything from basic grammar to advanced writing.
A good plan must encompass all the team's ideas.
Similarinclude, cover
Oppositeexclude, omit
Note
2
verbtransitive
To surround something completely, or to hold it inside.
Like a fence that goes all the way around a field.
A high stone wall encompasses the entire garden.
The new rules encompass every player on the field.
Similarsurround, enclose, encircle
Oppositeexclude
Note
3
verbtransitive
To make a complete circle around something.
Like a ring of people holding hands around a campfire.
Tall trees encompass the small pond.
Guards moved into place to encompass the building.
Similarencircle, surround, ring, enclose
Note
4
verbtransitive
To travel all the way around something.
Like walking all the way around a lake until you get back to where you started.
The explorers hoped to encompass the whole island by boat.
Their ship slowly encompassed the rocky cape.
Similarcircumnavigate, circle
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of encompass apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English encompassen, made from en- plus compass.