embark

UK: /ɪmˈbɑː^rk/ US: /ɛmˈbɑrk/ ,(em bärk′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

em•bark /ɛmˈbɑrk/  v. 

1. to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle:
   [no object; (~ + on + object)] The passengers embarked on the ship at noon.
2. to start or participate in an enterprise:
   [~ + on + object] to embark on a business venture.

em•bar•ka•tion /ˌɛmbɑrˈkeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

em•bark  (em bärk′), v.i. 

1. to board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, as for a journey.
2. to start an enterprise, business, etc.

v.t. 

3. to put or receive on board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
4. to involve (someone) in an enterprise.
5. to venture or invest (something) in an enterprise.

• Spanish embarcar, equivalent. to em- em-¹ + -barcar, verb, verbal derivative of barca bark³
• Middle French embarquer
• 1540–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

embark / ɛmˈbɑːk/ verb

1. to board (a ship or aircraft)
2. (intr; usually followed by on or upon) to commence or engage (in) a new project, venture, etc

Etymology: 16th Century: via French from Old Provençal embarcar, from em- + barca boat, barque

ˌembarˈkation, ˌembarˈcation noun