variants
or less commonly imbed
embedded also imbedded; embedding also imbedding; embeds also imbeds
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
Matthew MillsThe company … lets users embed video and audio attachments in E-mail messages.—Matt Richtel
Matt Richtel2
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
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
Philip GreyDr. 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
John Schwartz3
: to surround closely
a sweet pulp embeds the plum seed
: to become embedded
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
That rapid transformation is embedded in one business philosophy of Hart’s: flexibility.
—Xandra Harbet, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
As generative AI becomes embedded in critical systems—from patient diagnostics to financial forecasting to air traffic control—the attack surface is expanding faster than most organizations can secure it.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
China, by contrast, is the factory of the world—deeply embedded in global supply chains, commodity flows, and infrastructure networks.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
While there are some multilingual resources relevant to bias, they're often based on machine translation as opposed to actual translations from people who speak the language, who are embedded in the culture, and who can understand the kind of biases at play.
—Reece Rogers, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embed
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Xandra Harbet, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
As generative AI becomes embedded in critical systems—from patient diagnostics to financial forecasting to air traffic control—the attack surface is expanding faster than most organizations can secure it.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
China, by contrast, is the factory of the world—deeply embedded in global supply chains, commodity flows, and infrastructure networks.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
While there are some multilingual resources relevant to bias, they're often based on machine translation as opposed to actual translations from people who speak the language, who are embedded in the culture, and who can understand the kind of biases at play.
—Reece Rogers, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for embed
Cite this Entry
“Embed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embed. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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