Embarked
/ɛmˈbɑːrkt/
verbB2past tense
Definition
"Embarked" is the past form of "embark," which means to start a trip or begin something important. Usually, it is used when someone gets on a ship, plane, or other transport to travel somewhere. It can also mean starting a new activity or project.
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⚡ See It in Action
To get on a ship, plane, or vehicle to begin a journey
- •We embarked on the cruise early in the morning.
- •The passengers embarked quickly before the plane took off.
- •They embarked at the port and waved goodbye.
To begin a new project or activity
- •She embarked on a new career after finishing university.
- •The company embarked on an important research project.
- •He embarked upon learning a new language.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "embarked" like "started," but specifically for journeys or big new activities.
- ✓Picture people climbing stairs onto a big ship or plane, ready to go on a trip.
- ✓It's the feeling of excitement and a little nervousness when you begin a new adventure.
- ✓Sounds like "em-BARKED" → Imagine a dog (bark) jumping onto a boat to start a journey.
- ✓In stories, heroes often embark on quests, meaning they begin their important journeys.
- ✓NOT like "arrived" (you get to the place), "embarked" means you are just beginning the trip.
- ✓NOT like "travel" (the whole moving process), "embark" is the first step of getting on the vehicle.
- ✓NOT like "start" in general, "embark" often involves a physical or important start, especially travel.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Began: meaning to start something (Use when the action is general and not necessarily travel-related)
- •Set off: to begin a journey (Use when emphasizing leaving to go somewhere)
- •Boarded: to get on a vehicle (Use when focusing on the physical act of getting on a plane, ship, or train)
- •Commenced: to start formally (Use in formal or official contexts)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "em-" (a form of "in" or "on") + "bark" (from Old French "barque" meaning boat) + "-ed" (past tense)
- •Etymology: From Old French "embarquer," from "barque" meaning boat, originally meaning to put on a boat
- •Historical development: First used in English in the 1500s to mean getting on a ship, later extended to starting journeys or projects
- •Modern usage: Used for starting travel or beginning important new activities, both literally and figuratively
💭 Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of journeys or new activities in your life could you say you "embarked" on?
•How does the word "embarked" make a beginning feel different from just "started"?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.They embarked ___ the ship just before sunset to begin their vacation.
2.After graduation, she embarked ___ a career in medicine.
3.The explorers embarked on their journey ___ great excitement and hope.
4.Unlike simply starting a task, to embark ___ often means a big or important beginning.
5.The passengers had to embark ___ the plane quickly because of the weather.
6.When someone embarks ___ a new project, they usually feel both nervous and excited.
7.You can tell someone has embarked ___ a trip when they carry luggage and say goodbye.