embraced; embracing
3
a
: to take up especially readily or gladly
embrace a cause
b
: to avail oneself of : welcome
embraced the opportunity to study further
4
a
: to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole
charity embraces all acts that contribute to human welfare
b
: to be equal or equivalent to
his assets embraced $10
: to participate in an embrace
embracer
noun
1
: a close encircling with the arms and pressure to the chest especially as a sign of affection : hug
2
: grip, encirclement
in the embrace of terror
3
: acceptance
her embrace of new ideas
Examples of embrace in a Sentence
Verb
They embraced one last time before going their separate ways.
a politician who has been embraced by conservatives
Charity embraces all acts of generous giving.
It's a subject that embraces many areas of learning.
Noun
He held her in a warm embrace.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Tortora, Vogue, 29 May 2026
The first post-9/11 veteran to serve as secretary, Collins implemented big changes, embracing efforts to reduce the workforce, cutting contracts and overhauling the VA’s health care system.
—Patricia Kime, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
The release of the funds was a signal of Brussels’ embrace of the new government in Budapest after the 16-year tenure of Viktor Orbán, who was allied with Russia and antagonized the EU.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for embrace
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Verb
Across the 2026 and 2027 bridal collections, there’s been a notable emphasis on intricate savoir-faire, with designers embracing the charm of handmade workmanship, including delicate weaves, openwork textures, and crochet-effect embroideries as couture-level details.
—Laura Tortora, Vogue, 29 May 2026
The first post-9/11 veteran to serve as secretary, Collins implemented big changes, embracing efforts to reduce the workforce, cutting contracts and overhauling the VA’s health care system.
—Patricia Kime, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Noun
But Kyiv’s early embrace of drones, and the mass-industrialization of their accuracy and power, has begun to exact a defining toll on Moscow.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
The release of the funds was a signal of Brussels’ embrace of the new government in Budapest after the 16-year tenure of Viktor Orbán, who was allied with Russia and antagonized the EU.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for embrace
Cite this Entry
“Embrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embrace. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
embrace
1 of 2 verb
em·brace
im-ˈbrās 
embraced; embracing
1
: to clasp in the arms : hug
2
: to enclose on all sides
low hills embraced the valley
3
a
: to take up readily or gladly
embrace a cause
b
: to make use of : welcome
embrace an opportunity
4
embraceable
adjective
-ˈbrā-sə-bəl
embracer
noun
embrace
2 of 2 noun
: a close encircling with the arms : hug
Etymology
Verb
early French embracer "to hug, embrace," literally, "to put into the two arms," from em- "into" and brace "two arms," derived from Latin bracchium "arm" — related to brace entry 1, bracelet
Word Origin
One of the meanings of the English word brace is "two of a kind," as in "a brace of quail." In early French, however, the word brace, from which we get our English words brace and embrace, had a more limited meaning of "two arms." The early French brace came from the plural form of the Latin word bracchium, meaning "arm." When combined with the early French prefix em-, meaning "to put into," the word formed the verb embracer, which meant literally "to put into the two arms"; in other words, "to hug." In time the word was borrowed into English and became embrace.
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