embed

verb

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

transitive verb

1
a
: 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 email)
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
2
a
: 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
embedment noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here are my top recommendations for how to embed DEI work throughout your organization. Carla Thompson Payton, Essence, 22 Nov. 2024 Prompt Injection As chatbots become increasingly popular, prompt injection attacks—where malicious prompts are embedded in training data to manipulate AI outputs—pose a significant risk. Dr. Fene Osakwe, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Despite the downturn, the enthusiasm for deer hunting remains strong, with the sport deeply embedded in Wisconsin's cultural fabric. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 And finally, in analog AI, the neural network parameters don’t need to be moved from memory to the computing circuits—usually a bigger energy cost than computing itself—because they are already embedded within the computing circuits. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for embed 

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of embed was circa 1794

Dictionary Entries Near embed

Cite this Entry

“Embed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embed. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

embed

verb
em·​bed
variants also imbed
im-ˈbed
embedded also imbedded; embedding also imbedding
1
: to enclose in or as if in a surrounding mass : set solidly in or as if in a bed
embed a post in concrete
2
: to prepare (material for use under a microscope) for cutting by infiltrating with and enclosing in a supporting substance (as paraffin)

Medical Definition

embed

transitive verb
em·​bed
variants also imbed
embedded also imbedded; embedding also imbedding
: to prepare (a microscopy specimen) for sectioning by infiltrating with and enclosing in a supporting substance
embedment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on embed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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