encompass
verb
en·com·pass
in-ˈkəm-pəs 
en-,
also -ˈkäm-
encompassed; encompassing; encompasses
1
a
: include, comprehend
a plan that encompasses a number of aims
b
: envelop
2
a
: to form a circle about : enclose
b
obsolete
: to go completely around
3
: bring about, accomplish
encompass a task
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
Madagascar has seen weeks of protests, initially spurred by shortages of water and power but now encompassing deeper unhappiness over corruption, inflation, and high unemployment.
—
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Heart disease is a broad term that encompasses all the disorders that affect the heart’s function and structure, from coronary artery disease (CAD) to congenital heart disease (CHD) to arrhythmias, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
The coastal flood warning encompassed the entire state of Delaware, much of New Jersey, and part of Maryland and New York.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The unit encompasses a generous 6,615 square feet of land, featuring abundant outdoor space and a pool.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encompass
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Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Heart disease is a broad term that encompasses all the disorders that affect the heart’s function and structure, from coronary artery disease (CAD) to congenital heart disease (CHD) to arrhythmias, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
The coastal flood warning encompassed the entire state of Delaware, much of New Jersey, and part of Maryland and New York.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The unit encompasses a generous 6,615 square feet of land, featuring abundant outdoor space and a pool.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encompass
Cite this Entry
“Encompass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompass. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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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