frame

noun

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Definition of frame

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body : physique, figure

b : something composed of parts fitted together and united

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

b : a frame dwelling

3a : 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

4a : 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) : framework sense 1a

(2) : context, frame of reference

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

frame

verb

\ ˈfrām

\

framed; framing

Definition of frame (Entry 2 of 3)

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

2a : to give expression to : formulate frame a rule that brings order into our perceptions— Virginia 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

3a : 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

frame

adjective

Definition of frame (Entry 3 of 3)

: having a wood frame frame houses

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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 Lucas shows herself reclining, head at the bottom of the frame. — Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Coronavirus: Kroger Cincinnati stores reserve first hour for senior shoppers," 20 Mar. 2020 If your neighborhood features burrowing animals like voles, staple ¼ or ½-inch hardware cloth to the bottom of the frame to keep them out. — Fiona Gilsenan, Popular Mechanics, "How To Build a Raised Garden Bed," 14 Mar. 2020 McGill then tied it 1-1 in the bottom of the frame when Byron Millsap was hit by a pitch with two outs and the bases loaded. — Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "Coastal spring highlights: McGill-Toolen wins team titles in Angelo Harris Invitational," 9 Mar. 2020 Modular 66kWh battery packs—each weighing more than 1,200lbs (540kg)—are mounted amidships on the outboard of the frame. — Derek Powell, Ars Technica, "Charging into the mainstream: Volvo electrifies its first class-8 truck," 17 Feb. 2020 The video shows the officer loosen his hold and lead the student out of the frame in a side headlock. — Amanda Watts, CNN, "School resource officer in Arkansas 'relieved of duty' following apparent chokehold," 11 Feb. 2020 The video shows Worthy in the parking lot when the deer appears in the top of the frame. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, "Crazy video shows deer charge man in McDonald's parking lot: 'Didn't spill my Coke!'," 31 Jan. 2020 The recall is for model number 91394, which can be found on the crossbar tube of the frame between the two upright tubes. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, "165,000 infant sleepers recalled because of suffocation risk," 30 Jan. 2020 In a lot of comic books, parents are background figures, just out of frame. — Adrienne So, Wired, "Comic Book Artists on Parenthood, Creativity, and Cry-Barfing," 29 Jan. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Other media followed suit, in framing the initial response as an overreaction. — Zeynep Tufekci, The Atlantic, "A Failure of Systemic Thinking," 24 Mar. 2020 Given the narrative of upward mobility that frames so many media reports and popular depictions of Asian Americans, a scuzzy townie like Nora is already a step toward greater, more inclusive, not to mention more candid, representation. — Inkoo Kang, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Notebook: 'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens' and the Freshness of Angst-Free Asian Americans," 26 Feb. 2020 The business of framing a problem, solving it, then going back to see if it can be reframed in a better way, and re-solving it until the solution can no longer be improved remains a human endeavor. — Ravi Kumar, Quartz at Work, "How can we create a workforce full of lifelong learners?," 20 Jan. 2020 The lumber is used for homebuilding in Asia, door and window framing in the Lower 48, and, to a small degree, high-end musical instruments such as Steinway pianos and Fender guitars. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, "The Tongass National Forest is a Wilderness on the Chopping Block," 16 Jan. 2020 Similar to Hailey Baldwin's wedding stack, Vanessa framed her massive diamond with a delicate nesting band that feels both princess-y and elegant. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Riverdale's Vanessa Morgan Got Married and Her Wedding Dress is Absolutely Gorgeous," 7 Jan. 2020 During her news conference, Pelosi framed the case against Trump as much broader than an isolated pressure campaign on Ukraine. — Arkansas Online, "Impeachment plows ahead; Pelosi says ‘no choice,’ must draw up charges," 6 Dec. 2019 Climate change initially gained traction with environmentalists because it was framed as an environmental challenge. — Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why you should talk about climate change – even if you disagree," 5 Dec. 2019 The extent to which rudeness can be framed as a positive challenge is thought to be influenced by the attribution of the behavior—in other words, why has someone acted in this manner? — Amy Irwin, Quartz at Work, "How to use rudeness in the workplace to your advantage," 6 Nov. 2019

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.