encompass

verb

en·​com·​pass in-ˈkəm-pəs How to pronounce encompass (audio)
en-
also -ˈkäm-
encompassed; encompassing; encompasses
Synonyms of encompassnext

transitive verb

1
: to include as a part of a whole or group
a plan that encompasses a number of aims
The ranch encompasses more than 2,500 acres of prime forest …Stuart D. Strahl
That success soon mushroomed into an empire encompassing toys, games, animations and all manner of consumer gewgaws.Charlie Campbell
2
a
: envelop
A thick fog encompassed the city.
b
: to form a circle about : enclose
a small village encompassed by mountains
c
obsolete : to travel completely around
3
dated : bring about, accomplish
… Jiu Jitsu, the … art of making an opponent use his strength to encompass his own defeat.TIME
encompassment
in-ˈkəm-pə-smənt How to pronounce encompass (audio)
en-
also -ˈkäm-
noun

Examples of encompass in a Sentence

The district encompasses most of the downtown area. a neighborhood encompassed by a highway
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.
Related Stories The telecast has turned into an all-night event, encompassing both primetime and late night elements (and for the 2026 edition, led by guest Diana Ross, will include a Central Time Zone countdown for the first time). Michael Schneider, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025 Narrated by the venerable David Attenborough in the BBC version and the incomparable Sigourney Weaver in the Discovery Channel edition, Planet Earth treats audiences with its high-tech, cutting-edge visuals that encompass both the grandeur and subtleties of Mother Earth. Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025 Visit the City of Arts and Sciences, which encompasses an opera house, science museum, exhibition spaces, and one of Europe’s best aquariums. Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025 The lineup was deliberately constructed to reflect the diversity of models currently available to consumers, encompassing nearly every major price bracket and use case. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for encompass

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of encompass was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Encompass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompass. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

encompass

verb
en·​com·​pass in-ˈkəm-pəs How to pronounce encompass (audio)
-ˈkäm-
1
: to form a circle about : surround
2
a
: to cover or surround especially so as to hide or protect
b
: to take in as a part : include
encompassment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on encompass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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