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
The 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
… the first half of the century, before the modern medical system took shape.Geoffrey Cowley

Examples of take shape in a Sentence

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.
Gradually, an imaginary narrative for the property took shape. Blaine Davis, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025 The first storm will take shape across the central Plains, with rain and light icing across Oklahoma and Arkansas. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025 And with the whole thing slowly taking shape before us, an awareness of how these parts fit together arguably becomes even more crucial. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2025 The first storm took shape Wednesday over the central Mississippi Valley, bringing slick conditions to parts of the region. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for take shape 

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take shape was in 1560

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 20 Feb. 2025.

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