embedded

adjective

em·​bed·​ded im-ˈbe-dəd 

1

: occurring as a grammatical constituent (such as a verb phrase or clause) within a like constituent

2

: enclosed closely in or as if in a matrix : set firmly into a mass or material

Every nuclear sample has a host of distinctive attributes, including the exact mix of impurities, the ratio of different radioactive isotopes, even embedded carbon compounds that indicate the sample's age.

—Discover

3

: attached to a military unit or group for some purpose (such as covering a conflict or providing expert advice)

an embedded journalist

embedded military advisors

4

a

of digital content : drawn from and linked to an external source but displayed or accessed locally

an embedded video

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.

—sportsnewsireland.com

b

of a device or system : functioning as part of a larger device rather than as an independent unit or system

a smartphone with embedded sensors

… even low-end cars nowadays have 30 to 50 embedded computers—which means that most vehicles are running millions of lines of software code, controlling everything from the brakes to the air conditioning.

—John Naughton

embedding

im-ˈbe-diŋ 

noun

Examples of embedded in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The more embedded Russia becomes in non-Western economic structures, the more its military will be able to carry on. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 19 June 2023

The emails also contained embedded hyperlinks that, when opened, would transmit information about the recipients to a server controlled by the suspects, the indictment says. —Jonathan Dienst, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024

One New York Times article that cited Gallant’s mangled misquote sourced the words to an op-ed in another outlet, which sourced them to an X post that featured an embedded TikTok video. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2024

Brainwaves: Using embedded chips, brainwaves can turn into commands and then into actions. —Susan Johnston, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1