embed

verb
em·​bed | \ im-ˈbed How to pronounce embed (audio) \
variants: or less commonly
embedded also imbedded; embedding also imbedding; embeds also imbeds

Definition of embed

transitive verb

1a : to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix fossils embedded in stone
b : to make something an integral part of the prejudices embedded in our language
c : to prepare (a microscopy specimen) for sectioning by infiltrating with and enclosing in a supporting substance
d : to insert (a media file, such as a graphic, video, or audio clip) into a computer document (as on a website or in an e-mail) Marketers embed advertisements in subscription mailing-list messages to reach target audiences.— Matthew Mills The company… lets users embed video and audio attachments in E-mail messages.— Matt Richtel
2a : to attach (a journalist) to a military unit for the purpose of covering a conflict Ever since the American-led invasion of Iraq last year, when hundreds of journalists were embedded with military units, people in media circles have been debating whether journalists lose their professional detachment under such circumstances and begin to identify too closely with the troops they are covering.— Robert D. Kaplan
b : to attach (someone) to a group (such as a military unit or government agency) for the purpose of advising, training, or treating its members Implementation of the plan to embed behavior specialists at the brigade level will result in 50 positions being staffed between now and 2013.— Philip Grey Dr. Dawdy … is one of the more unusual relief workers among the thousands who have come to the devastated expanses of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She is officially embedded with the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a liaison to the state's historic preservation office.— John Schwartz
3 : to surround closely a sweet pulp embeds the plum seed

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Other Words from embed

embedment \ im-​ˈbed-​mənt How to pronounce embedment (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for embed

Synonyms

bed, enroot, entrench (also intrench), fix, impact, implant, ingrain (also engrain), lodge, root

Antonyms

dislodge, root (out), uproot

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Examples of embed in a Sentence

embed a post in concrete the nails were solidly embedded in those old plaster walls

Recent Examples on the Web

The fingerprint reader has also moved from the back of the phone to its rightful place on the front, embedded inside the screen. Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Denver Post, "Galaxy Note 10 hands on: What Samsung’s $950 big new phone adds — and takes away," 21 Aug. 2019 That misconception largely comes from Wadleigh’s 1970 documentary, which permanently embedded an idealized version of Woodstock in the cultural consciousness and possibly led to decades’ worth of attempts to re-create it. Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, "Riots, deaths, sexual assault: Maybe Woodstock was always a nightmare," 13 Aug. 2019 This season, MiLB sanctioned the use of sensors embedded inside the bat, though most minor leaguers still use the ones attached to the knob. Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, "Baseball’s latest tech tool for hitters: Bat sensors," 9 Aug. 2019 Drilling itself also pulls up brackish water embedded deep underground. Marissa Luck, Houston Chronicle, "Chevron Phillips, EVX Midstream partner on plastic water pipeline in Eagle Ford," 9 Aug. 2019 Digitally embedded on those disks is all of the English Wikipedia, thousands of classic books, a linguistic key to 5,000 languages, and an Israeli time capsule that includes descriptions of its culture and history among other things. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "A Crashed Spacecraft Might Have Put Earth’s Most Indestructible Organisms on the Moon," 8 Aug. 2019 Luckily, companies like Tesla, are designing solar shingles that are nearly indistinguishable from normal shingles, embedding solar in a less obtrusive way. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "Is Going Solar Right for You?," 27 July 2019 There are links, gifs, polls, emoji, videos, embedded tunes, and bold graphics—in six units and 587 Instagram story slides. Anne Quito, Quartzy, "A new “university” for Instagram influencers aims to stop the spread of misinformation," 23 July 2019 Neuralink has also created a neurosurgical robot reminiscent of a sewing machine, which can embed the threads — each much thinner than a human hair — in the brain. Sigal Samuel, Vox, "Elon Musk reveals his plan to link your brain to your smartphone," 17 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'embed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of embed

circa 1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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More Definitions for embed

embed

verb

English Language Learners Definition of embed

: to place or set (something) firmly in something else

embed

verb
em·​bed | \ im-ˈbed\
embedded; embedding

Kids Definition of embed

: to enclose in or as if in a surrounding substance Workers embedded the posts in concrete.
em·​bed
variants: also imbed \ im-​ˈbed How to pronounce imbed (audio) \
embedded also imbedded; embedding also imbedding

Medical Definition of embed

: to prepare (a microscopy specimen) for sectioning by infiltrating with and enclosing in a supporting substance

Other Words from embed

embedment \ -​ˈbed-​mənt How to pronounce embedment (audio) \