frame

verb \ ˈfrām \

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Examples: frame in a Sentence

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

Sanford's primary opponent, state legislator Katie Arrington, tried to frame the campaign about how critical Sanford has been of Trump.

— amber phillips, Washington Post, "Winners and Losers: Trump is the big winner in Tuesday’s primaries," 13 June 2018
Peddling Pakistani agenda that Indians make elaborate plots to frame Pakistan.

— morgan m. evans, Fox News, "ABC apologizes for controversial ‘Quantico’ episode, defends star Priyanka Chopra," 9 June 2018
Uttering yet another stunning claim, Rudy Giuliani says special counsel Robert Mueller is trying to frame his client, President Trump.

— john bacon, USA TODAY, "Rudy Giuliani rips Stormy Daniels: Porn stars have no credibility," 7 June 2018
Windows are strategically placed to frame panoramic views of Loch Vatten toward Macleod’s Tables to the north and across Loch Bracadale toward the Cuillin ridge to the south.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Minimalist charred-timber getaway is available to rent," 31 May 2018
And tall buildings that line the streets create a vertical channel to frame the setting Sun, creating a striking photographic opportunity.

— christopher brito, CBS News, "Manhattanhenge 2018: How to watch New York City's spectacular sunset," 30 May 2018
Inoue achieves some wonderful wide-screen imagery here, finding various ways to frame the boat against seascapes as well as numerous compositions of the men onboard.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "Film / Foreign Discover the work of noted Japanese genre director Umetsugu Inoue," 30 May 2018
The second reception look was far more laid-back: a bun with wavy wisps pulled out to frame her face by hairstylist George Northwood.

— jenna rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Just Ditched Her Favorite Messy Bun For A Sleek Version," 22 May 2018
The White House, however, sought to frame the new proposal as simply shoring up existing law.

— celeste katz, Glamour, "Elizabeth Warren: Trump's 'Domestic Gag Rule' Threatens More Than Just Abortion," 19 May 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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

The Dipsea splits the difference with a classic keyhole nose shape and a tortoiseshell frame, while the amber lenses are pure performance: certified UVA/B polarized protection.

— ben fox, Outside Online, "6 Style Upgrades From Huckberry's Summer Catalog," 19 June 2018
In the story’s present frame, the sergeant has an opportunity to attend Esmé’s wedding in London, years later.

— joe fassler, The Atlantic, "What J.D. Salinger Understood About Missed Connections," 19 June 2018
In his last four starts, he's thrown 25 frames with 17 strikeouts, a 2.88 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.

— lawr michaels, USA TODAY, "Fantasy baseball sizzlers, fizzlers: Ryon Healy heating up as summer approaches," 19 June 2018
Also starting high on the latest frame is Kids See Ghosts (Def Jam/Universal), the collaborative project of Kanye West and Kid Cudi.

— lars brandle, Billboard, "Sheppard's 'Watching The Sky' Debuts at No. 1 In Australia," 18 June 2018
And the 2-hour, 49-minute rain delay that partitioned the bottom frame only amplified said misery.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Arkansas takes down Texas with big inning," 17 June 2018
Rugged body-on-frame construction provides strength, durability, and utility including the ability to tow up to 8,500 pounds for both 2WD and 4WD models.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Nissan Armada full-size SUV has plentyof room for the family, lots of technology," 17 June 2018
Red’s Meadow Resort: This is a small mountain resort with pretty A-frame cabins, horseback rides, a general store with camper supplies and a cafe.

— tom stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Trails, camps, lakes open for summer in Land of Muir," 17 June 2018
Harmon’s brilliantly caustic play frames serious issues of Jewish identity within a breathtaking blitzkrieg of invective guaranteed to make your eardrums smolder.

— matt cooper, latimes.com, "The week ahead in SoCal theater: 'Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella' and more," 16 June 2018

Illustration of frame

Origin and Etymology of frame

see ¹frame

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

in the meaning defined above

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

Learn More about frame

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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

frame

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