Illustration of frame
- frame 2a
1
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
d(1)
(2)
e
: an event that forms the background for the action of a novel or play
5
: frame-up
6
obsolete
: the act or manner of framing
framed; framing
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
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
framer
noun
: having a wood frame
frame houses
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Aj Traub, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Even the transition frames preserve the statistics.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2023
But it’s built up by linear pieces of wood going back into the frame.
—Elizabeth Myong, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023
The Montero Sport shares the front bodywork of the latest Mighty Max pickup truck (no longer sold in the U.S.), but its full-length ladder-type frame has more in common with that of the bigger Montero wagon, including a 107.3-inch wheelbase.
—Phil Berg, Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2023
The mud sticks to the tires and then the braking mechanism and the frame.
—Ben Poston, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Jorge Mateo singled to lead off the frame off left-handed starting pitcher Kenny Rosenberg and scored on Hays’ 33rd double of the season.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Sep. 2023
Marist 1-1 (6) Sophomore receiver Stephen Brown and 6-foot-7 frame is great target for Owen Winters.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2023
Other options like the Asus ROG Falchion and HyperX Alloy Origins 65 see their frames terminate almost as soon as their keys end.
—Mark Knapp, PCMAG, 4 Sep. 2023
Matt Ford, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2023
One picture shows an alligator, illuminated by Ms. Caulfield, with its mouth open and framed by tall grass.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
But then Sircar flagged the two entrances, which were framed by enormous peaked arches with fluted flourishes at their bases.
—Daniel Brook, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023
Layering provides lift while also framing the face.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2023
The all-electric, green energy home has solar panels plus a solar hot water heater, extra insulation and energy efficient commercial-grade double-pane windows that frame views of the skyline, four mountains and riverscape.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 7 Sep. 2023
That, in turn, led the president to berate the league and its players, framing them as unpatriotic.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2023
The grosgrain ribbon mat (available in red, dark gray, and white) introduces unexpected yet timeless texture, drawing more attention to the meaningful moment framed inside.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
His inaugural gambit, back in Season 1, was robbing the Louvre — not for profit, but as part of a long-running plot to avenge his father, who was framed by a rich family and killed himself in prison.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2023
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
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Noun
Sophomore Sabine Wetzel brings a 6-foot-4 frame to the middle of the front line, and junior defensive specialist Maggie Turner adds leadership.
—Aj Traub, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Even the transition frames preserve the statistics.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2023
But it’s built up by linear pieces of wood going back into the frame.
—Elizabeth Myong, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023
The Montero Sport shares the front bodywork of the latest Mighty Max pickup truck (no longer sold in the U.S.), but its full-length ladder-type frame has more in common with that of the bigger Montero wagon, including a 107.3-inch wheelbase.
—Phil Berg, Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2023
The mud sticks to the tires and then the braking mechanism and the frame.
—Ben Poston, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Jorge Mateo singled to lead off the frame off left-handed starting pitcher Kenny Rosenberg and scored on Hays’ 33rd double of the season.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Sep. 2023
Marist 1-1 (6) Sophomore receiver Stephen Brown and 6-foot-7 frame is great target for Owen Winters.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2023
Other options like the Asus ROG Falchion and HyperX Alloy Origins 65 see their frames terminate almost as soon as their keys end.
—Mark Knapp, PCMAG, 4 Sep. 2023
Verb
Judge Milan Smith, a George W. Bush appointee, described at length how his colleague had omitted essential details and framed what happened in misleading terms.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2023
One picture shows an alligator, illuminated by Ms. Caulfield, with its mouth open and framed by tall grass.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
But then Sircar flagged the two entrances, which were framed by enormous peaked arches with fluted flourishes at their bases.
—Daniel Brook, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023
Layering provides lift while also framing the face.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2023
The all-electric, green energy home has solar panels plus a solar hot water heater, extra insulation and energy efficient commercial-grade double-pane windows that frame views of the skyline, four mountains and riverscape.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 7 Sep. 2023
That, in turn, led the president to berate the league and its players, framing them as unpatriotic.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2023
The grosgrain ribbon mat (available in red, dark gray, and white) introduces unexpected yet timeless texture, drawing more attention to the meaningful moment framed inside.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
His inaugural gambit, back in Season 1, was robbing the Louvre — not for profit, but as part of a long-running plot to avenge his father, who was framed by a rich family and killed himself in prison.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2023
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
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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
Phrases Containing frame
Dictionary Entries Near frame
Cite this Entry
“Frame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frame. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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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 noun1
: 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
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 framed—W. J. Brennan, Jr.
W. 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
Nglish: Translation of frame for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of frame for Arabic Speakers
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