Incorporate vs. Integrate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 27, 2023
"Incorporate" means to include or absorb something within something else, while "Integrate" means to combine or merge to form a unified whole.
Difference Between Incorporate and Integrate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Incorporate" primarily suggests the inclusion of one element within another, often without losing its distinct characteristics. "Integrate," on the other hand, implies a more complete merging or combination where elements become parts of a seamless whole.
When one uses "Incorporate," there's an emphasis on the act of taking in or adopting an element into a larger entity. "Integrate" implies not just the inclusion but also the blending or unifying of parts to achieve harmonious coexistence.
In business, "Incorporate" typically refers to the legal process of forming a corporation. "Integrate," in a similar context, might refer to combining various functions or departments for better efficiency.
In a broader sense, "Incorporate" could mean adding a new aspect or feature to an existing system, implying a supplementary addition. "Integrate" goes beyond just adding; it ensures that the added component functions seamlessly with the existing system.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Verb
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Definition
To include or absorb into something larger.
To combine or merge to form a unified whole.
Context of Usage
Often suggests addition without a complete blend.
Implies a harmonious or complete merging.
Connotation
Inclusion, sometimes with distinction.
Unity, harmonious blending.
Associated Terms
Corporation (a business entity).
Integration (the process or result of integrating).
Compare with Definitions
Incorporate
To adopt or accept as part of.
The teacher will incorporate feedback into the lesson plan.
Integrate
To combine or coordinate into a unified whole.
The school aims to integrate technology into all its courses.
Incorporate
To embody or represent.
The statue incorporates the spirit of the city.
Integrate
To bring together different racial or ethnic groups.
The new policy will integrate schools across the district.
Incorporate
To unite (one thing) with something else already in existence
Incorporated the letter into her diary.
Integrate
To complete or perfect by adding lacking elements.
We need to integrate more examples into the presentation.
Incorporate
To admit as a member to a corporation or similar organization.
Integrate
To make something a part of a larger unit.
The app integrates easily with other software.
Incorporate
To cause to merge or combine together into a united whole.
Integrate
To compute an integral; to find the integral of.
In calculus, we learn to integrate functions to find the area under a curve.
Incorporate
To cause to form into a legal corporation
Incorporate a business.
Integrate
Combine (one thing) with another to form a whole
A fully equipped laboratory is being integrated into the development
Transport planning should be integrated with energy policy
Incorporate
To give substance or material form to; embody.
Integrate
Bring (people or groups with particular characteristics or needs) into equal participation in or membership of a social group or institution
Integrating children with special needs into ordinary schools
Incorporate
To become united or combined into an organized body.
Integrate
Find the integral of
The velocity profile can be obtained by integrating this equation
Incorporate
To become or form a legal corporation
San Antonio incorporated as a city in 1837.
Integrate
To make into a whole by bringing all parts together; unify
A report that integrates the findings of previous studies.
Incorporate
(Linguistics) To move from the head of one phrase to the head of another, forming a new word by affixing onto that head, as in certain languages when a noun object of a verb is affixed to the verb.
Integrate
To join with something else; unite
A music program that was integrated with the general curriculum.
Incorporate
Combined into one united body; merged.
Integrate
To make part of a larger unit
Integrated the new procedures into the work routine.
Incorporate
Formed into a legal corporation.
Integrate
To open (an institution, for example) to people of all races or ethnic groups without restriction; desegregate.
Incorporate
(transitive) To include (something) as a part.
The design of his house incorporates a spiral staircase.
To incorporate another's ideas into one's work
Integrate
To admit (a racial or ethnic group) to equal membership in an institution or society.
Incorporate
(transitive) To mix (something in) as an ingredient; to blend
Incorporate air into the mixture by whisking.
Integrate
To calculate the integral of.
Incorporate
(transitive) To admit as a member of a company
Integrate
To perform integration on.
Incorporate
(transitive) To form into a legal company.
The company was incorporated in 1980.
Integrate
(Psychology) To bring about the integration of (personality traits).
Incorporate
To include (another clause or guarantee of the US constitution) as a part (of the Fourteenth Amendment, such that the clause binds not only the federal government but also state governments).
Integrate
To become integrated or undergo integration.
Incorporate
To form into a body; to combine, as different ingredients, into one consistent mass.
Integrate
To form into one whole; to make entire; to complete; to renew; to restore; to perfect.
Incorporate
To unite with a material body; to give a material form to; to embody.
Integrate
To include as a constituent part or functionality.
They were keen to integrate their new skills into the performance.
Incorporate
(obsolete) Corporate; incorporated; made one body, or united in one body; associated; mixed together; combined; embodied.
Integrate
To indicate the whole of; to give the sum or total of; as, an integrating anemometer, one that indicates or registers the entire action of the wind in a given time.
Incorporate
Not consisting of matter; not having a material body; incorporeal; spiritual.
Integrate
(mathematics) To subject to the operation of integration; to find the integral of an equation.
Incorporate
Not incorporated; not existing as a corporation.
An incorporate banking association
Integrate
To desegregate, as a school or neighborhood.
The refugees were well integrated into the community.
Incorporate
Not consisting of matter; not having a material body; incorporeal; spiritual.
Moses forbore to speak of angles, and things invisible, and incorporate.
Integrate
(genetics) To combine compatible elements in order to incorporate them.
Incorporate
Not incorporated; not existing as a corporation; as, an incorporate banking association.
Integrate
To form into one whole; to make entire; to complete; to renew; to restore; to perfect.
Two distinct substances, the soul and body, go to compound and integrate the man.
Incorporate
Corporate; incorporated; made one body, or united in one body; associated; mixed together; combined; embodied.
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and mindsHad been incorporate.
A fifteenth part of silver incorporate with gold.
Integrate
To indicate the whole of; to give the sum or total of; as, an integrating anemometer, one that indicates or registers the entire action of the wind in a given time.
Incorporate
To form into a body; to combine, as different ingredients, into one consistent mass.
By your leaves, you shall not stay alone,Till holy church incorporate two in one.
Integrate
To subject to the operation of integration; to find the integral of.
Incorporate
To unite with a material body; to give a material form to; to embody.
The idolaters, who worshiped their images as gods, supposed some spirit to be incorporated therein.
Integrate
Make into a whole or make part of a whole;
She incorporated his suggestions into her proposal
Incorporate
To unite with, or introduce into, a mass already formed; as, to incorporate copper with silver; - used with with and into.
Integrate
Open (a place) to members of all races and ethnic groups;
This school is completely desegregated
Incorporate
To unite intimately; to blend; to assimilate; to combine into a structure or organization, whether material or mental; as, to incorporate provinces into the realm; to incorporate another's ideas into one's work.
The Romans did not subdue a country to put the inhabitants to fire and sword, but to incorporate them into their own community.
Integrate
Become one; become integrated;
The students at this school integrate immediately, despite their different backgrounds
Incorporate
To form into a legal body, or body politic; to constitute into a corporation recognized by law, with special functions, rights, duties and liabilities; as, to incorporate a bank, a railroad company, a city or town, etc.
Integrate
Calculate the integral of; calculate by integration
Incorporate
To unite in one body so as to make a part of it; to be mixed or blended; - usually followed by with.
Painters' colors and ashes do better incorporate will oil.
He never suffers wrong so long to grow,And to incorporate with right so farAs it might come to seem the same in show.
Incorporate
Make into a whole or make part of a whole;
She incorporated his suggestions into her proposal
Incorporate
Include or contain; have as a component;
A totally new idea is comprised in this paper
The record contains many old songs from the 1930's
Incorporate
Form a corporation
Incorporate
Unite or merge with something already in existence;
Incorporate this document with those pertaining to the same case
Incorporate
Formed or united into a whole
Incorporate
To include as a part within a whole.
The design will incorporate both modern and traditional elements.
Incorporate
To form into a corporation.
They decided to incorporate their business for legal benefits.
Incorporate
To mix or blend into a larger mass.
You need to incorporate the butter into the dough evenly.
Common Curiosities
Can "Incorporate" be used in legal contexts?
Yes, "Incorporate" often refers to the process of forming a corporation.
What's the noun form of "Integrate"?
The noun form is "Integration."
Can you "Integrate" ideas?
Yes, you can integrate diverse ideas to form a comprehensive viewpoint.
Is "Incorporated" a synonym for "limited" in business?
In some jurisdictions, "Incorporated" (Inc.) is akin to "Limited" (Ltd.), denoting a type of business entity.
Is "Incorporate" about just adding something?
Not just adding; it's about including or embedding one thing within another.
Does "Integrate" always mean things become indistinguishable?
Not always, but it emphasizes a seamless or harmonious combination.
Is "Integration" always a smooth process?
Not necessarily; it can have challenges, especially when merging complex systems.
Does "Integrate" always refer to racial or societal integration?
No, it can also mean combining any elements, systems, or processes into a unified whole.
Does "Incorporate" have Latin roots?
Yes, it's derived from the Latin "incorporatus," meaning "to form into a body."
Is "Integrate" used in mathematics?
Yes, it refers to finding integrals in calculus.
Do "Incorporate" and "Integrate" ever overlap in meaning?
They can overlap when referring to including or embedding one element within another.
Can "Incorporate" mean blending?
While it can imply blending, it often emphasizes inclusion more than seamless blending.
What is the opposite of "Integrate"?
The opposite could be "segregate" or "disintegrate."
Can "Incorporate" refer to physical mixing?
Yes, like when ingredients are incorporated into a mixture.
Which is more about unity, "Incorporate" or "Integrate"?
"Integrate" more strongly emphasizes unity or harmonious combination.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
