embedding 1. One instance of some mathematical object contained with in another instance, e.g. a which is a subgroup. 2. () A F in [X -> Y] is an embedding if (1) For all x1, x2 in X, x1 <= x2 <=> F x1 <= F x2 and (2) For all y in Y, {x | F x <= y} is . ("<=" is written in as {\sqsubseteq}). (1995-03-27)