take shape
idiomatic phrase
: to assume a definite or distinctive form : to develop and become apparent or established
The plan is finally taking shape.
Edison's tireless work habits took shape during his childhood …—
Paul Gray
Paul GrayThe proto-planetary fragments crashed together, coalesced by gravity, and crashed again into other fragments, until they gradually took shape as the planets we know today.—M. Mitchell Waldrop
M. Mitchell Waldrop… the first half of the century, before the modern medical system took shape.—Geoffrey Cowley
Geoffrey CowleyExamples of take shape in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And in a secure location, away from the prying eyes of airport workers and visitors, the skeletal construction of a base of operations for a new international force is taking shape.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 May 2024
The crispy brown lines of dust seen in the image probably took shape due to the merger, according to a NASA release.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 17 May 2024
Another new restaurant is licensed, but has yet to take shape at 204 W. Exchange Ave.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2024
The team believes that these three stars formed between 12 and 13 billion years ago, right around when our universe was beginning to take shape.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 May 2024
And as the 1996 election took shape, gender politics were still at the forefront of campaign coverage.
—Galen Druke, ABC News, 15 May 2024
McMillan said a plan for the horse already is taking shape.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
As the controversy took shape on social media Thursday, Mura’s mother, Laurie Carmichael, shared a family statement to the community in a public Facebook post.
—Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2024
Advertisement Gordon’s business model immediately took shape: Sleep in the ambulance at night and rent it out to film and television shoots during the day.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 May 2024
The crispy brown lines of dust seen in the image probably took shape due to the merger, according to a NASA release.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 17 May 2024
Another new restaurant is licensed, but has yet to take shape at 204 W. Exchange Ave.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2024
The team believes that these three stars formed between 12 and 13 billion years ago, right around when our universe was beginning to take shape.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 May 2024
And as the 1996 election took shape, gender politics were still at the forefront of campaign coverage.
—Galen Druke, ABC News, 15 May 2024
McMillan said a plan for the horse already is taking shape.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
As the controversy took shape on social media Thursday, Mura’s mother, Laurie Carmichael, shared a family statement to the community in a public Facebook post.
—Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2024
Advertisement Gordon’s business model immediately took shape: Sleep in the ambulance at night and rent it out to film and television shoots during the day.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take shape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near take shape
Cite this Entry
“Take shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20shape. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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