incorporate

incorporate — verb

1. to add something to a larger thing so that it becomes a natural or functioning p

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to add something to a larger thing so that it becomes a natural or functioning part of it

Example

The chef decided to incorporate local herbs into the restaurant's signature dishes.

incorporate + object + into + noun phrase

Our team will incorporate the latest safety standards into the new building design.

Common collocations
  • incorporate into
  • incorporate within
  • incorporate feedback
  • incorporate features
  • incorporate standards
  • incorporate ingredients
  • incorporate ideas
  • incorporate changes
Synonyms
  • include

    more general and neutral; does not suggest active integration (B1)

  • integrate

    focuses on how well the added part works with the whole system (B2)

  • absorb

    suggests the smaller thing loses its separate identity (B2)

  • embed

    implies fixing something deeply and permanently within (C1)

Antonyms
  • exclude

    to leave something out on purpose (B1)

  • separate

    to keep things apart rather than joining them (A2)

Grammar Patterns

incorporate + object + into + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used in the pattern 'incorporate [object] into [larger whole]'. The object is typically a feature, ingredient, idea, standard, or piece of information. Unlike 'include', 'incorporate' implies active integration rather than simple containment.

Common Mistakes

We will incorporate the new rules in the handbook.
We will incorporate the new rules into the handbook.
'incorporate' requires 'into', not 'in', to show movement from outside to inside.
The bag incorporates a phone charger.
The bag includes a phone charger.
'incorporate' suggests deliberate design integration, not just simple inclusion.

2. to give a business the legal status of a corporation, or for a company to take o

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveC1
Definition

to give a business the legal status of a corporation, or for a company to take on this legal form so that the owners have limited personal financial responsibility

Example

The brothers decided to incorporate their bakery after it outgrew their small kitchen.

incorporate + business name as object

Many tech startups choose to incorporate in Delaware because of the state's business-friendly laws.

incorporate in + jurisdiction

Common collocations
  • incorporate a business
  • incorporate a company
  • incorporate as
  • incorporate in
  • incorporate under
  • decide to incorporate
  • plan to incorporate
  • newly incorporated
Synonyms
  • register

    more general term for any official enrolment; not limited to corporations (B2)

  • found

    suggests starting or establishing a company or institution (B2)

  • establish

    neutral and formal; can apply to companies, organisations, or systems (B2)

Antonyms
  • dissolve

    to close a company and end its legal existence (C1)

  • liquidate

    to close a company by selling its assets to pay debts (C1)

Grammar Patterns

incorporate + noun phrase (company/business)

incorporate as + noun phrase

noun phrase + incorporated + in/under + jurisdiction

Usage Note

Common in legal and business English. Used transitively ('The founders incorporated the business') or intransitively ('The business incorporated in 2021'). The subject is typically a business owner, founder, or legal advisor. Often followed by 'as' ('incorporated as a limited company') or 'under' ('incorporated under the laws of Texas').

Common Mistakes

I incorporated my freelance work to pay less tax.
I registered as a sole proprietor / I set up a limited company.
'incorporate' specifically means forming a corporation, not registering any type of business.
The company was incorporated on 2019.
The company was incorporated in 2019.
Use 'in' for years, not 'on'.

incorporate — adjective

Word family

  • incorporation
    nounB2
  • incorporated
    adjectiveB2
  • incorporating
    adjectiveC1
  • incorporator
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Include' is the most general word — it simply means something is part of a group or collection ('The price includes delivery'). 'Incorporate' is more active and intentional: it suggests adding something so that it becomes a functioning part of the whole ('The design incorporates feedback from users'). 'Integrate' focuses on how well the parts work together as a unified system ('The new software integrates with existing tools'). 'Absorb' suggests the smaller thing is fully taken in and loses its separate identity ('The larger company absorbed its smaller competitor'). 'Embed' implies fixing something deeply or permanently within a structure ('The sensor is embedded in the concrete floor'). For everyday writing, 'include' is the safest choice; 'incorporate' and 'integrate' suit formal, technical, or professional contexts.

include ↗integrate ↗absorb ↗embed ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • as part of
  • as a whole
  • into the design
  • into the plan
  • into the system

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Incorporate entered English in the late 14th century, borrowed directly from Latin 'incorporatus', the past participle of 'incorporare'. The word is built from the prefix 'in-' ('into') plus 'corpus' ('body'), so its literal sense is 'to bring into a body or group'. The general meaning 'to unite into one body' appeared first, and the more specific business sense — forming a legal corporation — emerged by the 15th century, reflecting the idea of a group of people treated as a single legal body.