embarquée

Embarquée is a feminine noun in French that refers to the act of putting people or cargo aboard a vehicle, especially a ship or aircraft, as well as the state of being on board. It can also denote the group of people who have boarded, as in the embarkation of passengers or troops. In everyday language, the term embarquement is more common for describing the process, while embarquée tends to emphasize the moment of boarding or the on-board situation.

Etymology and usage context: embarquée derives from the verb embarquer (to board or load onto a vessel) and shares its root with the English embark. The word is primarily found in nautical and military contexts and appears in formal or historical prose. In contemporary official communications, the noun embarquement is generally preferred to describe the procedure, whereas embarquée may appear in logs, narratives, or specialized vocabulary to highlight the act of boarding or the state of being on board.

Usage notes: Embarquée can convey a sense of immediacy or completion of boarding, focusing on the moment the crew or passengers have taken their place on the vessel or vehicle. It is less common in modern administrative texts but remains attested in literature, maritime history, and descriptive accounts of voyages.

Examples: L'embarquée des passagers débute à quai. L'embarquée des troupes est prévue à l'aube. Après l'embarquement, l'embarquée est prête pour le départ.

See also: embarquement; embarquer; embarqué.