Etymology Map
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Embarcadero

3 stages from Spanish to English.

Today it means a wharf or landing place

Where does the word "embarcadero" come from? It comes from Spanish embarcar, passing through Spanish before entering English (1840s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
embarcar
Spanish · medieval
"to embark"
to embark, from 'barca', boat
2
Stage 2 of 3
embarcadero
Spanish · 1500s
"landing place"
a landing place for boats
3
Stage 3 of 3
Embarcadero
American English · 1840s
"wharf"
San Francisco's waterfront road keeps the name
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Read the full story

Embarcadero’s story begins in Spanish: embarcar meant “to embark.” To embark, from 'barca', boat. Within Spanish, it grew into embarcadero by 1500s. A landing place for boats. It reached English by 1840s as Embarcadero. San Francisco's waterfront road keeps the name. Today, embarcadero means a wharf or landing place.