CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>Embed Definition</title> <link rel="canonical" href="https://techterms.com/definition/embed"> <meta name="description" content="The definition of Embed defined and explained in simple language."> <meta name="keywords" content="Embed, definition, import, insert, embedded, object, file, document"> <meta name="robots" content="max-image-preview:large"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=923672016"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.google-analytics.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="securepubads.g.doubleclick.net"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagservices.com"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://techterms.com/css/tt.css?v=1" media="screen, print"> <link rel="icon" href="/svg/favicon.svg"> <script>window.dataLayer=window.dataLayer||[];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)}gtag('consent','default',{'ad_storage':'granted','ad_user_data':'granted','ad_personalization':'granted','analytics_storage':'granted'});gtag('consent','default',{'ad_storage':'denied','ad_user_data':'denied','ad_personalization':'denied','region':["NO","DE","FI","BE","PT","BG","DK","LT","LU","LV","HR","FR","HU","SE","SI","MC","SK","MF","SM","YT","IE","GF","EE","MQ","MT","GP","IS","GR","IT","ES","AT","RE","CY","CZ","AX","PL","RO","LI","NL"]})</script> <script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" data-domain-script="018decfc-da98-7112-b546-affa65c740cd"></script> <script>let adsLoaded=!1;let cmpReady=!1;let adsReady=!1;function OptanonWrapper(){cmpReady=!0;loadAds()}function loadAds(){if(!adsLoaded&&cmpReady&&adsReady){if((typeof __tcfapi!=="undefined")||(OnetrustActiveGroups.indexOf('C0004')!=-1)){googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().refresh()});!function(e,t,a,n,o,s){o=e.createElement(t),s=e.getElementsByTagName(t)[0],o.async=1,o.src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js",o.setAttribute("data-ad-client","ca-pub-0087137714961591"),s.parentNode.insertBefore(o,s)}(document,"script")}else{googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().setPrivacySettings({nonPersonalizedAds:!0}),googletag.pubads().refresh()});!function(e,t,a,n,o,s){o=e.createElement(t),s=e.getElementsByTagName(t)[0],o.async=1,o.src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js",o.setAttribute("data-ad-client","ca-pub-0087137714961591"),o.setAttribute("data-privacy-treatments","disablePersonalization"),s.parentNode.insertBefore(o,s)}(document,"script")} adsLoaded=!0}}</script> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-5K7VMN5PX3"></script> <script>window.dataLayer=window.dataLayer||[];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)}gtag('js',new Date());gtag('config','G-5K7VMN5PX3')</script> <script>for(var ca=document.cookie.split("; "),i=0;i<ca.length;i++){var c=ca[i];if(-1!=c.indexOf("tt_theme=")){var theme=c.substring(9,c.length),html=document.getElementsByTagName("html")[0];html.classList.add("theme-"+theme),USERTHEME=theme;}else-1!=c.indexOf("tt_size=")&&(USERSIZE=c.substring(8,c.length))}</script> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script>var sizes_tlb = [[970, 90], [728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]];var sizes_ss = [[300, 600], [160, 600], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]];var sizes_ra = [[336, 280], [300, 250], [320, 100], [320, 50]];var sizes_lb = [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"];window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() {function defineAdSlot(e,d,g,i){e="/1009901/"+e,g="div-gpt-ad-"+g+"-0",slot0=googletag.defineSlot(e,d,g).defineSizeMapping(i).addService(googletag.pubads())}var mapping_tlb = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1000, 0], [[970, 90], [728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]]).addSize([758, 0], [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]]).addSize([488, 0], [[468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]]).addSize([0, 0], [[320, 100], [320, 50]]).build();var mapping_ss = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([981, 0], [[300, 600], [160, 600]]).build();var mapping_ra = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([971, 0], [[336, 280], [300, 250], [320, 100], [320, 50]]).addSize([551, 0], [[300, 250]]).build();var mapping_lb = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1178, 0], [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([966, 0], [[468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([820, 0], [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([520, 0], [[468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([0, 0], [[320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).build();var mapping_qlb = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([758, 0], [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([488, 0], [[468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([0, 0], [[320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).build();if (window.innerWidth >= 0) defineAdSlot('tt_tlb_2020', sizes_tlb, '1589388248615', mapping_tlb);if (window.innerWidth >= 551) defineAdSlot('tt_dra_2020', sizes_ra, '1589302365809', mapping_ra);if (window.innerWidth >= 0) defineAdSlot('tt_dlb_2020', sizes_lb, '1589236206757', mapping_lb);if (window.innerWidth >= 980) defineAdSlot('tt_dss_2020', sizes_ss, '1589233879778', mapping_ss);});googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(),googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(),googletag.pubads().setTargeting("page_url","/definition/embed"),googletag.enableServices()});adsReady=true;loadAds();if (window.innerWidth >= 0) googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1589388248615-0")});if (window.innerWidth >= 551) googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1589302365809-0")});if (window.innerWidth >= 0) googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1589236206757-0")});if (window.innerWidth >= 980) googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1589233879778-0")});</script> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Article","dateCreated":"2023-01-09","datePublished":"2023-01-09","dateModified":"2023-01-09","copyrightYear":"2023","copyrightHolder":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sharpened Productions"},"name":"Embed","description":"A technical definition of Embed","headline":"Embed","abstract":"Definition of Embed","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Brian Pickle","url":"https://techterms.com/authors/brian_pickle"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TechTerms.com","logo":"https://techterms.com/img/main/techterms.png"},"teaches":{"@type":"DefinedTerm","url":"https://techterms.com/definition/embed","name":"Embed","description":"A technical definition of Embed"},"audience":{"@type":"Audience","audienceType":"everyone"},"genre":"Technology","inLanguage":"en-US","isFamilyFriendly":"True","keywords":"import, insert, embedded, object, file, document","locationCreated":{"@type":"Place","name":"United States"},"text":"To embed an object or file is to place it entirely within another file. Embedding an object in a file is not just linking to it; the embedded object becomes part of the file that contains it. For example, when a word processing document contains a bitmap image, that image is embedded. When you open the document, it shows that image alongside text seamlessly without requiring an extra action to load the image separately.","url":"https://techterms.com/definition/embed"} </script> </head> <body> <div id="full"> <header id="siteheader"> <div class="content"> <a href="#main" class="visuallyhidden">Skip to main content</a> <a href="/" class="logo"><img src="/svg/logo.svg" width="212" height="24" alt="TechTerms.com"></a> <div class="siteheader-middle"> <div class="searchwrapper collapsed"> <form id="search" class="search" action="/search" method="post"> <div class='autocomplete' role='combobox' aria-expanded='false' aria-owns='autocomplete-results'> <input type="text" id="term" name="term" placeholder="Search (e.g. embed, router, dongle)" aria-label="Search (e.g. psd, docx, exe, jpg, zip)" autocomplete="off" class='autocomplete-input term' aria-autocomplete='both' aria-controls='autocomplete-results'> <button id="searchsubmit" class="searchsubmit"></button> </div> <ul id='autocomplete-results' class='autocomplete-results hidden' aria-label='Search'> </ul> </form> </div> <a href="/random" class="headerbutton random" id="random"><img src="/svg/random.svg" alt="random" width="16" height="16"></a> <button id="searchtoggle"><img src="/svg/search-white.svg" alt="search" width="18" height="18"></button> </div> <div class="siteheader-right"> <button id="menuopen"><img src="/svg/menu.svg" alt="open menu" width="18" height="16"></button> <nav id="sitemenu" class="collapsed"> <button id="menuclose"><img src="/svg/close.svg" alt="close menu" width="14" height="14"></button> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/">Terms</a></li> <li><a href="/quiz/">Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/help/">Help Center</a></li> <li class="mobile"><a href="/random">Random Term</a></li> <li class="settings"><button id="settings"><img src="/svg/settings.svg" alt="settings" width="22" height="22"></button> <div class="settingsmenu"> <fieldset> <legend>Theme</legend> <input id="theme-default" value="default" type="radio" name="theme" checked> <label for="theme-default">Light</label> <input id="theme-dark" value="dark" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-dark">Dark</label> <input id="theme-hc" value="hc" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-hc">High Contrast</label> </fieldset> <div class="fontsizewrapper"><label for="fontsize">Font Size<input type="range" id="fontsize" name="fontsize" min="14" max="26" step="2" value="20"></label><span class="currentsize">20</span></div> <button id="resetsettings">Reset</button> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <main> <div class="adTopLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589388248615-0'> </div> </div> <div id="main" class="def"> <div id="left"> <div class="card hasheader"> <div class="cardheader"> <div class="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Home</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg><a href="/category/technical">Technical Terms</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg>Embed Definition</div> </div> <article> <h1>Embed</h1> <div class="adDefRect"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589302365809-0'> </div> </div> <p>To embed an <a href="/definition/object">object</a> or <a href="/definition/file">file</a> is to place it entirely within another file. Embedding an object in a file is not just <a href="/definition/link">linking</a> to it; the embedded object becomes part of the file that contains it. For example, when a word processing <a href="/definition/document">document</a> contains a <a href="/definition/bitmap">bitmap</a> image, that image is embedded. When you open the document, it shows that image alongside text seamlessly without requiring an extra action to load the image separately.</p> <p>Once an object is embedded in a file, it's part of that file. Any edits or changes you want to make to the embedded object must happen within the file that contains it since that object is no longer an independent file. You could also <a href="/definition/delete">delete</a> the embedded object, update the file separately, and then re-<a href="/definition/import">import</a> the newer version into the document.</p> <div class="summary"><a href="/definition/multimedia">Multimedia</a> content often works by embedding one type of file into another. For example, presentations often include embedded images, charts, and animations. Office documents often embed content as well, like an Excel spreadsheet placed into a Word document.</div> <p>Embedded content often appears on <a href="/definition/webpage">webpages</a>. A small amount of <a href="/definition/html">HTML</a> code can reference something on another <a href="/definition/website">website</a> — like an individual tweet or YouTube video — and insert it into the webpage. The viewer doesn't need to click a <a href="/definition/hyperlink">hyperlink</a> to open the content on a separate page; it's visible without any extra steps. However, unlike objects embedded in files, objects embedded in webpages still exist separately and are only pulled into the webpage at the time you load it. If a video is updated after you embed a link to it, the viewer will still get the newest version of it.</p> <p><b>NOTE:</b> The term "embed" can also apply to <a href="/definition/hardware">hardware</a>, such as a computer system that is integrated into an electronic device.</p> <div class="adBotLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589236206757-0'> </div> </div> <div class="cardfooter"> <div class="upDate"><div class="author">Updated <span class="pdate">January 9, 2023</span> by <a href="/authors/brian_pickle">Brian P.</a></div></div><div id="citations"> <div class="tabs"> <div role="tablist" aria-label="citations"> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="apa" tabindex="-1">APA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="mla" tabindex="-1">MLA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="chicago" tabindex="-1">Chicago</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="html" tabindex="-1">HTML</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="link" tabindex="-1">Link</button> </div> <div class="citationwrap"> <div id="apa" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="mla" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="chicago" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="html" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="link" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> <div>https://techterms.com/definition/embed</div> </div> <button id="citecopy"><span class="visuallyhidden">Copy</span><svg enable-background="new 0 0 488.3 488.3" viewBox="-7.5 -7.5 495.8 503.3" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m314.25 85.4h-227c-21.3 0-38.6 17.3-38.6 38.6v325.7c0 21.3 17.3 38.6 38.6 38.6h227c21.3 0 38.6-17.3 38.6-38.6v-325.7c-.1-21.3-17.4-38.6-38.6-38.6zm11.5 364.2c0 6.4-5.2 11.6-11.6 11.6h-227c-6.4 0-11.6-5.2-11.6-11.6v-325.6c0-6.4 5.2-11.6 11.6-11.6h227c6.4 0 11.6 5.2 11.6 11.6z" stroke-width="15"/><path d="m401.05 0h-227c-21.3 0-38.6 17.3-38.6 38.6 0 7.5 6 13.5 13.5 13.5s13.5-6 13.5-13.5c0-6.4 5.2-11.6 11.6-11.6h227c6.4 0 11.6 5.2 11.6 11.6v325.7c0 6.4-5.2 11.6-11.6 11.6-7.5 0-13.5 6-13.5 13.5s6 13.5 13.5 13.5c21.3 0 38.6-17.3 38.6-38.6v-325.7c0-21.3-17.3-38.6-38.6-38.6z" stroke-width="15"/></svg></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div id="defquiz" class="card"> <h2 class="heading logoheading"><img src="/img/main/quiz.png" alt="quiz" style="width:45px">Test Your Knowledge</h2> <div class="quizBox"> <div class="quizBody"> <p class="quizQuestion">An LCD is a type of what kind of technology?</p> <div class="quizTable"> <div id="ansButtonA" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Anum" data-date="2023-01-25"><span class="ansLetter">A</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerA" class="quizAnswer">Wireless audio</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarA" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercA" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonB" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Bnum" data-date="2023-01-25"><span class="ansLetter">B</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerB" class="quizAnswer">Digital storage</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarB" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercB" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonC" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Cnum" data-date="2023-01-25"><span class="ansLetter">C</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerC" class="quizAnswer">Flat-panel display</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarC" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercC" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonD" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Dnum" data-date="2023-01-25"><span class="ansLetter">D</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerD" class="quizAnswer">Broadband internet</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarD" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercD" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="quizResult"><div class="qmsg"> <b class="quizPass">Correct!</b> <b class="quizFail">Incorrect!</b>   <span class="customMessage"></span>  View the <a href="/definition/lcd">LCD definition</a>.</div> <a href="/quiz/#morequizzes" class="quizNext btnprimary">More Quizzes →</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="right"> <div class="prevnext"> <a href="email_bomb"><span class="arrow">‹</span>  <span class="linktext">Email Bomb</span></a><span> | </span><a href="emoji"><span class="linktext">Emoji</span>  <span class="arrow">›</span></a></div> <div class="tf card"> <h2 class="heading">Tech Factor</h2> <a href="/help/tech_factor" class="info" title="What is the Tech Factor?">?</a> <a href="/techfactor/4"><span class="factor">4</span><span class="denom"> / 10</span></a></div> <div class="listBox card related"> <h2 class="heading">Related Terms</h2> <div class="rlists"> <ol> <li><a href="/definition/ole">OLE</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/object">Object</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/link">Link</a></li> </ol> <ol start="4"><li><a href="/definition/document">Document</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/multimedia">Multimedia</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/hyperlink">Hyperlink</a></li> </ol> </div> </div> <div class="adRightSky"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589233879778-0'> </div> </div> </div> <div class="techterms card"> <h2 class="heading">The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary</h2> <p>The definition of Embed on this page is an original definition written by the <a href="/authors/">TechTerms.com team</a>. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation links above.</p> <p>The goal of TechTerms.com is to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about this definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please <a href="/contact">contact us</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="popupwrapper"> <div id="newsletter_popup"> <button class="close">×</button> <div id="ttnform"> <h3 class="heading">Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter</h3> <form id="subscribe"> <div class="field"><label for="newsletter_email">Email (required):</label> <input type="email" id="newsletter_email" name="newsletter_email" required aria-label="email address"> </div> <div class="row1"> <div class="field"><label for="first_name">First Name:</label> <input type="text" name="first_name" id="first_name"></div> <div class="field"><label for="first_name">Last Name:</label> <input type="text" name="last_name" id="last_name"></div> </div> <fieldset class="row2"> <legend>How often would you like to receive an email?</legend> <input type="radio" name="frequency" id="daily" value="d" checked><label for="daily">Daily</label> <input type="radio" name="frequency" id="weekly" value="w"><label for="weekly">Weekly (Every Tuesday)</label> <input type="text" id="newsletter_message" name="message" class="cfieldhid" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="If you are a human, please do not fill in this field." tabindex="-1"> </fieldset> <input type="submit" class="btnprimary" value="Subscribe"> <div id="ttnerror"> </div> <p>You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.<br><br>Questions? Please <a href="/contact">contact us</a>.</p> </form> </div> <div id="ttnconfirm" style="display: none;"> <h3>Thank You</h3> <p>We just sent you an email to confirm your email address. Once you confirm your address, you will begin to receive the newsletter.</p> <p>If you have any questions, please <a href="/contact">contact us</a>.</p> <button class="ok btnprimary">Ok</button> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer id="sitefooter"><a href="https://sharpened.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span class="copyright">© 2025 Sharpened Productions</span></a>  |  <a href="/terms">Terms of Use</a>  |  <a href="/privacy">Privacy Policy</a>  |  <button id="ot-sdk-btsn" class="ot-sdk-show-settings">Cookie Settings</button>  |  <a href="/about">About</a>  |  <a href="/contact">Contact</a></footer> </div> <script defer src="https://techterms.com/js/tt.js"></script><script> var cterm = 'Embed'; var curl = 'embed'; quizDate = '2023-01-25'; T = cterm; C = "e76bdf788a381cf70671744e6cabef36"; </script> <script defer src="https://techterms.com/js/quiz.js?v=1"></script> </body> </html>