embarkation
em-bar-KAY-shun
/ˌɛm.bɑːrˈkeɪ.ʃən/
The act or process of boarding a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle to begin a journey.
Refers specifically to the formal, organized procedure of getting passengers or cargo onto a vessel at the start of a voyage.
The story behind the word. From French 'embarquer', formed from 'en-' (into) and 'barque' (small boat). Medieval sailors would board small skiffs to reach larger ocean vessels moored offshore.
Word relationships
- boarding: 'Boarding' is everyday general usage for planes, buses, and trains, whereas 'embarkation' carries a more formal, maritime connotation.
- entrainment: 'Entrainment' applies specifically to military or rail transport rather than ships.
- disembarkation: Refers to getting off a vessel at the end or stop of a voyage.
- landing: Refers specifically to coming ashore or touching down on ground.
Commonly confused with
- departure: 'Departure' is the act of the ship leaving, while 'embarkation' is the act of the passengers getting onto it.
Word family
- embark (verb): To board a ship or aircraft, or to start a new venture.
Collocations
- embarkation port
- embarkation process
- point of embarkation
- smooth embarkation
Example sentences
- "The embarkation of passengers proceeded smoothly at the port terminal before sunset." Maritime travel log
- "The embarkation was delayed by several hours due to severe weather in the harbor." Historical historical account
Memory hook
Think of putting your BARK (boat) into the water so you can EMBARK. EM-BARK: put yourself IN the BARK (boat).
When not to use
Do not use for getting into a personal automobile or climbing onto a bicycle.
Fun facts
- During the golden age of ocean liners, embarkation involved strict class segregation with separate walkways.
Related words
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