encompassing

[ en-kuhm-puh-sing ]

adjective

1. forming a circle around something; encircling or surrounding:

   She serves the whole Anchorage real estate market, including the encompassing communities.

2. comprehensively including, addressing, or dealing with all parts or aspects of something:

   Whether as a regular treatment or a special indulgence, your fully encompassing spa experience will leave you looking and feeling fantastic!

3. fully enclosing or enveloping something:

   As she looked out reflectively over the lake, the encompassing quiet was sliced by the shrill sound of her cell phone.

noun

1. the act or state of surrounding, enclosing, or comprehensively including something:

   The term “diaspora” allows for the encompassing of a wider range of people and experiences than “immigrants.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of encompassing¹

First recorded in 1565–75; encompass ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; encompass ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

Copyright Office granted access to medical device data, encompassing devices that aren’t implanted and allowing patients to authorize third parties to access devices to a certain extent.

From Salon

Police added the large cordon encompassing several nearby streets remained in place after the blaze was extinguished due to ongoing safety concerns, but this would be continually reviewed and adapted by experts.

From BBC

I do think that the biggest part of a beauty ritual is self-love, encompassing that in everything you do.

From Los Angeles Times

The book is pretty evenly divided, encompassing breakfast, dessert, vegetarian and then all forms of protein-based sandwiches.

From Salon

And by the time he's left our "Salon Talks" interview, I've also received a big, encompassing hug, because he's a hugger.

From Salon

Related Words

• enveloping