encompass
verb
en·com·pass
in-ˈkəm-pəs 
en-
also -ˈkäm-
encompassed; encompassing; encompasses
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
Stuart D. StrahlThat success soon mushroomed into an empire encompassing toys, games, animations and all manner of consumer gewgaws.—Charlie Campbell
Charlie Campbell2
3
dated
: bring about, accomplish
… Jiu Jitsu, the … art of making an opponent use his strength to encompass his own defeat.—TIME
TIMEExamples of encompass in a Sentence
The district encompasses most of the downtown area.
a neighborhood encompassed by a highway
Recent Examples on the Web
Located on a magnificent campus encompassing more than 27,000 acres in Rome, Ga.
—Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 30 May 2026
One of the most intriguing features of the Red Sea is that the experience encompasses so much more than secluded islands, untouched coral reefs, and lazy days on a yacht deck.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
Congress has repeatedly waded into establishing an overarching federal law that would encompass AI.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The new map includes one majority-Black district that will encompass most of New Orleans, stretching out to predominantly Black neighborhoods in Baton Rouge.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
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Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 30 May 2026
One of the most intriguing features of the Red Sea is that the experience encompasses so much more than secluded islands, untouched coral reefs, and lazy days on a yacht deck.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
Congress has repeatedly waded into establishing an overarching federal law that would encompass AI.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The new map includes one majority-Black district that will encompass most of New Orleans, stretching out to predominantly Black neighborhoods in Baton Rouge.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
Cite this Entry
“Encompass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompass. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encompass
verb
en·com·pass
in-ˈkəm-pəs
-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
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