: the action or an act of taking over

take over

2 of 2

verb

took over; taken over; taking over; takes over

transitive verb

: to assume control or possession of or responsibility for
military leaders took over the government

intransitive verb

1
: to assume control or possession
2
: to become dominant

Examples of takeover in a Sentence

Noun The government experienced a military takeover in 2002. the new government's high-handed takeover of private industries Verb I'll take over for her until she gets back from her morning break. took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The violence is raising concerns of a gang takeover, with Hérard’s name being often cited along with others as a possible beneficiary of the effort. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025 The same day, Columbia moved to expel and suspend for multiple years students involved in last spring’s takeover of Hamilton Hall. Cayla Bamberger, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
Holloway has taken over the Western Conference playoff race. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 In an email to USAID staff, Jeremy Lewin, a Department of Government Efficiency official who took over running the day-to-day operations at USAID from Pete Marocco on March 20, said the RIFs would go into effect either on July 1 or September 2. Fatma Tanis, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for takeover

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1618, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of takeover was in 1618

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Cite this Entry

“Takeover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeover. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

take over

verb
(ˈ)tā-ˈkō-vər
: to get control or possession of or responsibility for something
takeover
ˈtā-ˌkō-vər
noun

Legal Definition

: the acquisition of control or possession (as of a corporation)
a hostile takeover

More from Merriam-Webster on takeover

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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