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
Their results showed that in order for the rings to take shape, gas bubbles need to be released from the top of a channel carrying magma to the surface.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
So far, Russia and China have not really worked in tandem on the disinformation front, instead spreading similar narratives in parallel—but a combined approach could well take shape as the governments grow ever closer.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Her beliefs took shape over a span of many years, and recently were accelerated by government inaction.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
On March 20, as the drama continued to quietly take shape, the Dodgers beat the Padres in Seoul in a game that began at 3 a.m. Pacific time.
—Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Two of the biggest and most expensive projects in Idaho’s 133-year history are beginning to take shape as Micron and Meta lay the foundations for Micron’s $15 billion semiconductor plant and Meta’s $800 million data center.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 22 Mar. 2024
With the new ownership now in place, spearheaded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford, Manchester United are beginning to take shape from a structural point of view away from the pitch.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
All could be within reach if Glasnow continues the arc of a baseball career that began to take shape as an awkward teenager at Newhall Hart High School and has been trending upward — even with a detour for elbow surgery — for the last seven years.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Thus, the idea of a mentorship program took shape, driven by a desire to provide resources that many women lack.
—Tira Urquhart, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
So far, Russia and China have not really worked in tandem on the disinformation front, instead spreading similar narratives in parallel—but a combined approach could well take shape as the governments grow ever closer.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Her beliefs took shape over a span of many years, and recently were accelerated by government inaction.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024
On March 20, as the drama continued to quietly take shape, the Dodgers beat the Padres in Seoul in a game that began at 3 a.m. Pacific time.
—Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Two of the biggest and most expensive projects in Idaho’s 133-year history are beginning to take shape as Micron and Meta lay the foundations for Micron’s $15 billion semiconductor plant and Meta’s $800 million data center.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 22 Mar. 2024
With the new ownership now in place, spearheaded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford, Manchester United are beginning to take shape from a structural point of view away from the pitch.
—Liam Canning, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
All could be within reach if Glasnow continues the arc of a baseball career that began to take shape as an awkward teenager at Newhall Hart High School and has been trending upward — even with a detour for elbow surgery — for the last seven years.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Thus, the idea of a mentorship program took shape, driven by a desire to provide resources that many women lack.
—Tira Urquhart, Essence, 21 Mar. 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.
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Cite this Entry
“Take shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20shape. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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