take effect

phrase

1

: to become operative

The new regulations will take effect next year.

2

: to begin producing an expected or intended effect or result

waiting for the drug to take effect

Examples of take effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The measure ultimately passed and took effect in September 2023. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026

The departures concentrated in September 2025, when the administration's incentive programs for resignation and early retirement took effect. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026

Medicaid cuts passed in a 2025 tax bill set to take effect next year are expected to exacerbate states’ problems. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2026

And more cutbacks to federal human service programs take effect in 2027. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take effect

• aftereffect
• interconnect
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct