frame

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body : physique, figure
b
: something composed of parts fitted together and united
2
a
: the underlying constructional system or structure that gives shape or strength (as to a building)
b
: a frame dwelling
3
a
: an open case or structure made for admitting, enclosing, or supporting something
a window frame
b(1)
frames plural : that part of a pair of glasses other than the lenses
(2)
: a part of a pair of glasses that holds one of the lenses
c
: a structural unit in an automobile chassis supported on the axles and supporting the rest of the chassis and the body
d
: a machine built upon or within a framework
a spinning frame
4
a
: an enclosing border
b
: the matter or area enclosed in such a border: such as
(1)
: an individual drawing in a comic strip usually enclosed by a bordering line
(2)
: one picture of the series on a length of film
(3)
: one of the squares in which scores for each round are recorded (as in bowling)
also : a round in bowling
(4)
: a complete image for display (as on a television set)
c
: an inning in baseball
e
: an event that forms the background for the action of a novel or play
5
6
obsolete : the act or manner of framing

Illustration of frame

Illustration of frame
  • frame 2a

frame

2 of 3

verb

framed; framing

transitive verb

1
: to enclose in a frame
frame a picture
also : to enclose as if in a frame
a face framed in a wealth of auburn hair
2
a
: to give expression to : formulate
frame a rule that brings order into our perceptionsVirginia Woolf
b
: to draw up (something, such as a document)
frame a written constitution
c
: plan, contrive
framed a new method of achieving their purpose
d
: shape, construct
frame a figure out of clay
3
a
: to contrive the evidence against (an innocent person) so that a verdict of guilty is assured
He claims that he was framed for the murder.
b
: to devise (something, such as a criminal charge) falsely
frame a case against a neighbor to get rid of him
c
: fix sense 7b
The wrestling matches were framed.
4
: to construct by fitting and uniting the parts of the skeleton of (a structure)
frame a house
5
: to fit or adjust especially to something or for an end : arrange
framed the test to evaluate students' understanding of the material
6
obsolete : produce

intransitive verb

1
archaic : proceed, go
2
obsolete : manage
framable adjective
or frameable
framer noun

frame

3 of 3

adjective

: having a wood frame
frame houses

Examples of frame in a Sentence

Noun the frame of a house I need new frames for my glasses. Verb It was the first state to frame a written constitution. She framed her questions carefully. He took the time to frame a thoughtful reply. She claims that she was framed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Subway ads for the series featured a shot of uniformed police officers, a burly polyester wall, with Preston seemingly poking her head in from out of frame, wearing a pink overcoat, a crocheted scarf and a foam Statue of Liberty crown. Phillip MacIak, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Careful observers noticed however that a human hand was briefly visible at the edge of the frame, revealing the operator was in control of the movements. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 Following the City Council’s vote on March 12, staff will be exploring options to allow the top portion of the fence to be made of other materials that would still allow for the 90 percent view, such as metal rails or hog wire, a fence style where wires cross through frames. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Kravitz has been a long-time aficionado of aviator shaped frames, so this collaboration feels serendipitous. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 Eternal Sunshine, released on Republic Records, begins with 227,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in its first week (March 8-14), according to Luminate – the largest frame for any set so far in 2024. Gary Trust, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024 So the best laptops under $1,500 trim the edges and make the calls to pack as much power in a small frame as possible. Kyle Barr / Gizmodo, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2024 There was a hooded viewer to look through, and extended on a T-junction about 6 inches away was a stand with wire frames to hold the cards, which were called stereographs. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024 Cracking open the entire egg and pulling out the duck meat, Cardi immediately took a bite — before spitting it out and running out of frame. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
Smith framed his case against Trump as one that cuts to a key function of democracy: the peaceful transfer of power. Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 In this case, frame your images using the mirror on the front rather than the viewfinder, as parallax distortion is an issue up close. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 Terra cotta will frame the new windows and serve as an accent material along the facade. The Enquirer, 18 Mar. 2024 The estate framed the moves as stalling tactics meant to keep the house from being sold, according to court records. Paloma Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Located in the charming fishing town of San Sebastian, this picturesque bay is framed by rolling hills and an uninhabited island people can also visit. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 In doing so, she’s framed as an inspirational teacher in the Dead Poets Society mold, meeting her students at their own level in defiance of the oppressive standards that define the world around them. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 AstraZeneca framed the deal for Amolyt, which has focused on treatments for rare endocrine diseases, as a boost for its own rare disease pipeline. Andrew Joseph, STAT, 14 Mar. 2024 Priscilla may not directly proclaim that Priscilla was in an abusive relationship, but Coppola aptly frames moments where the viewer’s own discomfort may provide the answer to whether this dynamic was abusive or caring. Yolanda MacHado, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024
Adjective
After the shutter button is pressed, Samsung uses advanced multi-frame processing to combine multiple images into a single picture and AI to automatically adjust the photo as necessary. Samantha Kelly, CNN, 5 Apr. 2023 To start with, the company’s Super Resolution feature kicks in at zoom levels of 25x and higher, and uses multi-frame processing to combine over 10 images to reduce noise and enhance clarity. Jon Porter, The Verge, 15 Mar. 2023 These tools often leverage multi-frame photography that appears directly in the platform, but also gets repurposed for downloadable PDF digital catalogs. Outside Online, 17 Dec. 2021 This is where software processing comes in: Xiaomi’s post-image processing uses a proprietary algorithm that cleans up the shot with multi-frame HDR and defogging. Ben Sin, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021 The weld between the outrigger assembly and the body's sub-frame assembly may be inadequate, which could result in failure of the aerial unit during use. Detroit Free Press, 5 June 2021 The Spurs were 0-3 in OT heading into Monday, including extra-frame losses to Atlanta and Indiana earlier this month. Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frame.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Noun, and Adjective

Middle English, to benefit, construct, from Old English framian to benefit, make progress; akin to Old Norse fram forward, Old English fram from

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Adjective

1780, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frame was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near frame

Cite this Entry

“Frame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frame. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

frame

1 of 3 verb
framed; framing
1
a
: plan entry 2 sense 1
framed a new strategy
b
: shape entry 1 sense 1, construct
frame a figure out of clay
c
: to give expression to
frame a reply
d
: to set down in writing
frame a constitution
2
: to make (an innocent person) appear guilty
3
: to enclose in a frame
frame a picture
framer noun

frame

2 of 3 noun
1
: the bodily structure of an animal and especially a human being : physique
2
: an arrangement of parts that gives form or support to something
the frame of a house
3
a
: an open case or structure for holding or enclosing something
a picture frame
a window frame
b
plural : the part of a pair of glasses that holds the lenses
4
: a turn in bowling
5
: an enclosing border: as
a
: one of the drawings in a comic strip
b
: one picture of the series on a length of film or in a television transmission
6
: a particular state or mood
in a good frame of mind

frame

3 of 3 adjective
: having a wood frame
frame houses

Medical Definition

frame

noun
1
: the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body : physique, figure
2
a
: a part of a pair of glasses that holds one of the lenses
b
frames plural : that part of a pair of glasses other than the lenses

Legal Definition

frame

transitive verb
framed; framing
1
: to formulate the contents of and draw up (as a document)
in the two hundred years since our Constitution was framedW. J. Brennan, Jr.
2
: to contrive the evidence against (as an innocent person) so that a verdict of guilty is assured

More from Merriam-Webster on frame

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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