embark
Meaning: To begin a new project, course of action, or significant undertaking; also, to board a ship or aircraft for a journey.
In its figurative sense, embark almost always collocates with 'on' or 'upon' — one embarks on a career, a programme of reform, or a journey of discovery. The word implies the start of something ambitious, significant, or potentially risky, lending a sense of occasion to the beginning it describes. Its nautical origins survive in the literal sense of boarding a vessel. The noun 'embarkation' refers to the act of boarding, as in 'point of embarkation.'
Examples
- The government has embarked on an ambitious programme of infrastructure investment across the north of England. 政府已着手在英格兰北部实施一项雄心勃勃的基础设施投资计划。El gobierno ha emprendido un ambicioso programa de inversión en infraestructuras en el norte de Inglaterra.政府はイングランド北部全域で野心的なインフラ投資計画に着手した。정부는 잉글랜드 북부 전역에 걸친 야심찬 인프라 투자 프로그램에 착수했다.
- After thirty years in the civil service, she embarked upon a second career as a university lecturer. 在公务员系统工作了三十年后,她开启了作为大学讲师的第二段职业生涯。Tras treinta años en la administración pública, se embarcó en una segunda carrera como profesora universitaria.公務員として30年を過ごした後、彼女は大学講師としての第二のキャリアに乗り出した。공무원으로 30년을 보낸 후, 그녀는 대학 강사로서의 제2의 경력에 나섰다.
- Before embarking on any major restructuring, the board commissioned an independent review of the company's operations. 在着手进行任何重大重组之前,董事会委托了一份对公司运营的独立审查报告。Antes de emprender cualquier reestructuración importante, el consejo encargó una revisión independiente de las operaciones de la empresa.大規模なリストラに着手する前に、取締役会は会社の業務に関する独立した調査を委託した。대규모 구조조정에 착수하기 전에, 이사회는 회사 운영에 대한 독립적 검토를 의뢰했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, professional, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From French embarquer, from em- (in, on) + barque (boat, bark). Entered English in the 16th century, with the figurative sense of beginning an undertaking following shortly after the literal nautical meaning.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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