embody

1 of 2

verb

em·body im-ˈbä-dē

embodied; embodying

Synonyms of embody

transitive verb

: to give a body to (a spirit) : incarnate

: to deprive of spirituality

: to make concrete and perceptible

: to cause to become a body or part of a body : incorporate

: to represent in human or animal form : personify

… men who greatly embodied the idealism of American life …—A. M. Schlesinger born 1917

embodier noun

embodier

2 of 2

noun

em·bod·i·er

ə̇mˈbädēə(r),

em- -diə-

plural -s

: one that embodies

Examples of embody in a Sentence

Verb The legislature embodied a revenue provision in the new law. they must embody their ideas in substantial institutions if they are to survive

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.

Verb

Few jewels embody that idea as effortlessly as the tennis necklace, which has become a modern jewelry staple. — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Most 16-year-olds don’t know how to interpret or articulate these emotions, let alone embody them. — Tim Kring, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 Heilmann took the supposedly impersonal unit of modern art, the rectangle, and embodied it. — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026 For generations, the French Open has embodied the ideal gateway to the European summer. — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embody

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of embody was in 1548

See more words from the same year

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embodiment

embody

embog

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Embody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embody. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

embody

verb

em·body im-ˈbäd-ē

embodied; embodying

: to give definite form to

embodied her ideas in suitable words

: to cause to become a body or a part of a body or system

the Constitution embodies the fundamental laws of the United States

: to represent in visible form

a leader who embodies courage

embodier noun

embody

verb

noun

Synonyms of embody

Examples of embody in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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embody

verb

noun

Synonyms of embody

Examples of embody in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for embody

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on embody

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A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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