become

verb

be·​come bi-ˈkəm How to pronounce become (audio)
bē-
became bi-ˈkām How to pronounce become (audio)
bē-
; become; becoming

intransitive verb

1
a
: to come into existence
b
: to come to be
become sick
They both became teachers.
2
: to undergo change or development
The pain was becoming more intense.

transitive verb

: to be suitable to
seriousness becoming the occasion
especially : to be becoming to
her clothes become her
Phrases
become of
: to happen to
wondering whatever became of old friends

Examples of become in a Sentence

Although I've known him for years, we didn't become close friends until recently. She won the election, becoming the first woman to be President of the nation. The book has become quite popular. We became interested in the property last year. The crackers had become stale. It eventually became clear that he had lied. This kind of behavior hardly becomes a person of your age and position.
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.
Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 24 July 2025 Extreme weather events, including heat waves and heavy rainfall, are becoming more frequent, posing risks to human health and infrastructure. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025 In 2004, the nickname became a registered trademark of the university. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 24 July 2025 Soon after, Vernor opened his own pharmacy on Woodward Avenue, and its soda fountain became the first place in the world to buy Vernors ginger ale in 1866. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for become

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to come to, become, from Old English becuman, from be- + cuman to come

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of become was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Become.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/become. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

become

verb
be·​come bi-ˈkəm How to pronounce become (audio)
became -ˈkām How to pronounce become (audio) ; become; becoming
1
: to come or grow to be
a tadpole becomes a frog
the days become shorter as summer ends
2
: to look well on : suit
her suit becomes her

More from Merriam-Webster on become

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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