frame

verb \ ˈfrām \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

framed; framing

transitive verb

1 : to construct by fitting and uniting the parts of the skeleton of (a structure)

frame a house

2 a : plan, contrive

framed a new method of achieving their purpose

b : shape, construct

frame a figure out of clay

c : to give expression to : formulate

frame a rule that brings order into our perceptions
—Virginia Woolf

d : to draw up (something, such as a document)

frame a written constitution

3 a : to devise (something, such as a criminal charge) falsely

frame a case against a neighbor to get rid of him

b : 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.

c : fix 7b

The wrestling matches were framed.

4 : to fit or adjust especially to something or for an end : arrange

framed the test to evaluate students' understanding of the material

5 obsolete : produce

6 : 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

intransitive verb

1 archaic : proceed, go

2 obsolete : manage

—

framable

or frameable play \ˈfrā-mə-bəl\ adjective

—

framer

noun

See frame defined for English-language learners

See frame defined for kids

Examples of frame in a Sentence

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 of frame from the Web

Listing agent Laura Sweeney with John Daugherty, Realtors says the property is situated on more than an acre of impeccably landscaped grounds and is enhanced by majestic oaks that frame the exterior facade.

— lisa zapalac, Houston Chronicle, "Prime Property: Briscoe-designed River Oaks home registered as historic landmark," 6 Apr. 2018
But by framing itself as another milquetoast social app designed for flaunting idyllic vacations and family reunions, the ad completely ignores what makes Snapchat appealing in the first place.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Snapchat is making a bid for your parents, missing the entire point of Snapchat," 2 Apr. 2018
Bond’s sharp wit fuels what may well be the best banter in the business — honed in unhinged shows as the fictional cabaret singer Kiki DuRane — and the best part of the evening was the convoluted, off-the-cuff narratives that framed the numbers.

— elisabeth vincentelli, New York Times, "What Makes a Songbook American? Justin Vivian Bond and Rosanne Cash Have a Few Answers," 28 Mar. 2018
With less than a month left in the regular season and a third of the league already in tank mode, let’s pass the time by examining five key questions that will frame the upcoming debates over the 2018 All-NBA teams.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "The All-NBA Debates: Who Deserves to Make the Cut?," 16 Mar. 2018
Fortoul Brothers take the stage Phoenix artists the Fortoul Bothers created custom art pieces that framed the three main stages.

— ed masley, azcentral, "Lost Lake Festival will return to Phoenix in 2018," 15 Mar. 2018
From the electricity that Dr. Frankenstein uses to animate his discovery to the polar voyage that frames the narrative, science is integral to the novel.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "What Frankenstein Can Still Teach Us 200 Years Later," 14 Mar. 2018
Inside the theater, Schumacher points to such updates as the large wooden proscenium that frames the stage, which can be transformed at a character’s touch.

— elysa gardner, Town & Country, "What It Took to Bring Disney's Frozen to Broadway," 8 Mar. 2018
The wine program draws generously from the walls of wine that frame the entrance, but the wine list is poorly bound, hard to wrangle and badly organized.

— mike sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: Fairmount’s Silo Prime a dimmer version of Silo excellence," 8 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frame.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of frame

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

frame Synonyms

Synonyms

fabricate, fashion, form, make, manufacture, produce;

Near Antonyms

disassemble, dismantle, take apart;

break up, dismember;

flatten, pulverize, raze, ruin, shatter, smash, wreck;

blow up, explode;

craft, handcraft;

hew;

forge, mold, shape;

cobble (together or up), knock out, patch (together), throw up;

prefabricate;

create, invent, mint, originate;

establish, father, institute, organize;

concoct, contrive, cook (up), design, devise, imagine, think (up);

conceive, envisage, picture, visualize;

refashion, remake, remanufacture;

Phrases

put together;

frame

noun

1 a : something composed of parts fitted together and united

b : the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body : physique, figure

2 a : the underlying constructional system or structure that gives shape or strength (as to a building)

b : a frame dwelling

3 obsolete : the act or manner of framing

4 a : a machine built upon or within a framework

a spinning frame

b : an open case or structure made for admitting, enclosing, or supporting something

a window frame

c (1) : a part of a pair of glasses that holds one of the lenses

(2) frames plural : that part of a pair of glasses other than the lenses

d : a structural unit in an automobile chassis supported on the axles and supporting the rest of the chassis and the body

5 a : an enclosing border

b : the matter or area enclosed in such a border: such as

(1) : one of the squares in which scores for each round are recorded (as in bowling); also : a round in bowling

(2) : an individual drawing in a comic strip usually enclosed by a bordering line

(3) : one picture of the series on a length of film

(4) : a complete image for display (as on a television set)

c : an inning in baseball

d (1) : framework 1a

(2) : context, frame of reference

e : an event that forms the background for the action of a novel or play

6 : frame-up

See frame defined for English-language learners

Examples of frame in a Sentence

the frame of a house
I need new frames for my glasses.

Recent Examples of frame from the Web

Frame by frame, morning by morning, Taggart and Cooper enact a ritual of creation that doubles as an affirmation of partnership, a dance of privilege and vulnerability.

— leah ollman, latimes.com, "One bed photo per day, for years and years: Mesmerizing moments from an art show about daily life," 9 Apr. 2018
The bed frame, rope, doors and knobs, two knives and other items were photographed, dusted for fingerprints and swabbed for DNA.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Questions, theories, opinions abound after Zahau wrongful death verdict," 8 Apr. 2018
On Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, the Angels’ 23-year-old righthander was perfect through six innings against the Athletics and ultimately allowed only one hit and one walk in seven shutout frames, striking out 12.

— jon tayler, SI.com, "Forget the Sample Size, Shohei Ohtani Already Looks Like One of Baseball's Best Players," 8 Apr. 2018
The replacement part that the company sent him, a large rectangular door frame, turned out to be made of thin, cheap plastic.

— john carlisle, Detroit Free Press, "Old-time Detroit repair shop pegs its decline on boom in Chinese goods," 8 Apr. 2018
Chicago’s Yu Darvish did not surrender a hit over the first three frames, with the only blemish a first-inning walk to Ryan Braun.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cubs 5, Brewers 2: Defense remains issue as errors pave way for Chicago's four-run ninth," 7 Apr. 2018
After going down in order in the eighth and ninth frames, St. Amant got a leadoff single from Madison Hurt.

— josh preston, NOLA.com, "St. Amant 5, Mt. Carmel 4: Cubs fall short in classic extra innings battle," 4 Apr. 2018
Portland outscored Los Angeles 38-26 in the second frame, highlighted by a new career scoring high for Collins.

— sean meagher, OregonLive.com, "Trail Blazers bounce back, beat Clippers 105-96: Rapid reaction," 31 Mar. 2018
The list of missing items so far includes picture frames, jewelry, clothes, lamps, kitchen utensils and kitchenware, a computer with school files on it and a camera.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "'Like a riot.' Woman's home ransacked by people who thought she was having estate sale | The Kansas City Star," 29 Mar. 2018

Illustration of frame

Origin and Etymology of frame

see ¹frame

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

frame Synonyms

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

frame

adjective

: having a wood frame

frame houses

Origin and Etymology of frame

see ¹frame

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1780

See Words from the same year

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

FRAME Defined for English Language Learners

frame

verb

: to put (something) inside an open structure that holds it : to put (something) in a frame
: to be around the edge of (something)
: to produce (something written or spoken) : to express (a question, answer, etc.) in words

frame

noun

: the basic structure and shape of the body of a person or animal
: an arrangement of parts that support and form the basic shape of something
: an open structure that holds something (such as glass or a picture)

FRAME Defined for Kids

frame

verb \ ˈfrām \

framed; framing

1 : to enclose in or as if in a frame

frame a picture

Long brown hair framed his face.

2 : to produce (something) in writing or spoken words

frame a constitution

3 : to make appear guilty

He's being framed for the crime.

—

framer

noun

frame

noun

1 : the structure of an animal and especially a human body : physique

a muscular frame

2 : an arrangement of parts that give form or support to something

the frame of a house

3 : an open case or structure for holding or enclosing something

window frame

picture frame

frame

adjective

: having a wooden frame

a two-story frame house

Medical Dictionary

frame

noun \ ˈfrām \

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

Law Dictionary

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 framed
—W. J. Brennan, Jr.

2 : to contrive the evidence against (as an innocent person) so that a verdict of guilty is assured

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frame

framable

framer

Examples of frame in a Sentence

Recent Examples of frame from the Web

Origin and Etymology of frame

frame Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

frame

Examples of frame in a Sentence

Recent Examples of frame from the Web

Illustration of frame

Origin and Etymology of frame

frame Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Architecture Terms

frame

Origin and Etymology of frame

Other Building Terms

Phrases Related to FRAME

Related Phrases

FRAME Defined for English Language Learners

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frame

FRAME Defined for Kids

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Medical Dictionary

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