Word
embark
Phoneticsem·bark, stress on the second syllable
US/ɛmˈbɑɹk/
UK/ɛmbˈɑːk/
Definitions
01to start a project or journey
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to start a new, important, or difficult task or journey.
v. to commence a significant or long-term undertaking, often used with the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
“After graduating from college, she decided to embark on a career in medicine.”
“The government is about to embark on a series of radical economic reforms designed to curb inflation and encourage foreign investment.”
02to put someone or something on a ship
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Technical
v. to put people or goods onto a ship or plane.
v. to cause to go on board a vessel; to load passengers or cargo for transport.
“The crew worked quickly to embark the remaining cargo before the storm arrived.”
“The logistics team was responsible for embarking the heavy machinery onto the freighter within a strict twelve-hour window.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “embark” in context.
Verb
01. boldly embark
“The company decided to boldly embark on a complete restructuring of its operations.”
adv + verb
02. embark on a career
“He is about to embark on a promising career in international law.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
03. embark on a journey
“After graduating, she decided to embark on a solo journey across South America.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
04. embark on a mission
“The scientists embarked on a mission to document the effects of climate change.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
05. embark on a project
“We are ready to embark on a new project that will revolutionize the industry.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
06. embark on a quest
“The protagonist embarks on a perilous quest to find the lost artifact.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
Usage
The verb is intransitive when used with 'on' or 'upon' to indicate starting a project; it is transitive when used in the context of boarding a ship or aircraft.
Pitfall
They embarked the project yesterday
They embarked on the project yesterday
When meaning 'to start', the verb requires the preposition 'on' or 'upon' before the noun.
Real-World Examples
“I need to refresh many things that happened in my personal life."
City embarked on a rebuild during the 2024 winter and summer transfer windows in a bid to refresh an ageing squad.” “Earlier this month, he embarked on a road trip with Meeks and Deao to screen Union County at small movie theaters in Ohio.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French embarquer, from em- + barque (“small ship”). Compare with Portuguese embarcar, Spanish abarcar.
From em- + bark.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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