embed

[ verb em-bed; noun em-bed ]

verb (used with object)

, em·bed·ded, em·bed·ding.

1. to fix into a surrounding mass:

   to embed stones in cement.

2. to surround tightly or firmly; envelop or enclose:

   Thick cotton padding embedded the precious vase in its box.

3. to incorporate or contain as an essential part or characteristic:

   A love of color is embedded in all of her paintings.

4. Histology. to infiltrate (a biological tissue) with molten paraffin or other plastic material that later solidifies, enabling the preparation to be sliced very thin for viewing under a microscope.
5. Mathematics. to map (a set) into another set.
6. Grammar. to insert (a construction, as a phrase or clause) into a larger construction, as a clause or sentence.
7. 1. to assign (a journalist) to travel with a military unit or a political campaign: We've embedded a reporter with each of the presidential candidates.

      The photojournalists were embedded in Afghanistan with U.S. troops.

      We've embedded a reporter with each of the presidential candidates.

   2. to invite (an expert, creative professional, etc.) to work closely with a group or participate in a special event:

      We have embedded writers within our acting companies, and now have playwrights writing pieces for the actors they are working with.

8. Digital Technology. to place (text, images, sound, or computer code) in a computer file, HTML document, software program, or electronic device:

   Here's how to embed videos on your website.

verb (used without object)

, em·bed·ded, em·bed·ding.

1. to be or become fixed or incorporated, as into a surrounding mass:

   Glass embeds in the soft tar of the road.

noun

1. a person who has been embedded, as with a military unit.
2. a period of time during which a person is embedded.

embed

/ ɪmˈbɛd /

verb

1. usually foll by in to fix or become fixed firmly and deeply in a surrounding solid mass

   to embed a nail in wood

2. tr to surround closely

   hard rock embeds the roots

3. tr to fix or retain (a thought, idea, etc) in the mind
4. often foll by with to assign a journalist or be assigned as one to accompany an active military unit
5. tr grammar to insert (a subordinate clause) into a sentence

noun

1. a journalist accompanying an active military unit

Derived Forms

• emˈbedment, noun

Other Words From

• em·bed·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of embed¹

First recorded in 1770–80; em- ¹ + bed

Example Sentences

The watermarked Stake meme gets screenshotted and passed on, where it spreads through successive channels—like when publications that need to embed Twitter videos become complicit in Stake’s amorphous campaign.

From Slate

The Guardian said users would still be able to share articles and it was likely continue to embed X posts in its coverage of world events.

From BBC

With Web 3, the opportunities to seamlessly embed social impact into financial transactions are endless, and Givepact’s API is helping to make that future possible.

From Salon

Like every other way we embed gender norms in children, subconsciously favoring your sons over your daughters in money talk can not only leave girls less prepared for money management but also set them up as adults to believe they’re less competent with money than the men in their lives.

From Salon

He denies being “gun shy” about press since the publication of a viral 2021 New Yorker profile in which a number of his collaborators — some named, others anonymous — looked askance at the lengths to which he’ll go to embed himself in a character.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bury
• enclose
• fix
• ingrain
• inlay
• insert
• install
• lodge