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
That Bayfront area also encompasses the Miami Heat’s Kaseya Center home arena.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Beyond the filling for the classic quiche Lorraine of eggs, cream, bacon and Gruyere cheese, the scope of possible ingredients is wide, encompassing vegetables, meats and seafood.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Council’s definition of at risk of eviction encompassed anyone who had gotten a demand letter from their landlord, a first step in an often months- or years-long process towards eviction.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
The New City logo (an area that encompasses Back of the Yards) features a pig, referencing the neighborhood’s history as the site of slaughterhouses.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
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Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Beyond the filling for the classic quiche Lorraine of eggs, cream, bacon and Gruyere cheese, the scope of possible ingredients is wide, encompassing vegetables, meats and seafood.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Council’s definition of at risk of eviction encompassed anyone who had gotten a demand letter from their landlord, a first step in an often months- or years-long process towards eviction.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
The New City logo (an area that encompasses Back of the Yards) features a pig, referencing the neighborhood’s history as the site of slaughterhouses.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 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 27 Mar. 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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