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

Other Words from frame Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about frame

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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 Hrabowski, who has the body frame of a Ben Roethlisberger or Dante Culpepper, entertained offers from Mid-American Conference schools Ball State and Bowling Green, along with Morgan State. — Brad Emons, Detroit Free Press, "How Western Michigan football commit went superhero to give River Rouge another title shot," 18 Jan. 2021 Cut your wood dowels to be one inch narrower than the frame of your window. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "Yes, You Can Make Your Own Roman Shades—Here's How," 15 Jan. 2021 The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a refreshed design with a camera housing that matches the frame of the smartphone. — Michael Andronico, CNN Underscored, "Here’s what you need to know about Samsung’s Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy SmartTag," 14 Jan. 2021 This one is built from the body of a 1927 Model T, the frame of a 1928 Model A, and a 454 motor that came out of a dump truck. — A.j. Baime, WSJ, "Lamborghini, Maserati, Mini, T-Bucket: Our Favorite My Ride Cars of 2020," 29 Dec. 2020 The boy is being questioned as the person who was seen in a surveillance video, demanding the keys to a man’s white SUV before the carjacker and victim go out of frame of the video and three shots were fired, police said. — Paige Fry, chicagotribune.com, "Boy, 16, faces charges for carjacking vehicle used in Bridgeport homicide, is suspected in killing, police say," 26 Dec. 2020 As an adult, my dressing-up box was no longer confined to what was reflected in the oval frame of my bedroom mirror. — Rosalind Jana, refinery29.com, "Celebrate Dressing Up For The Holidays — Even With Nowhere To Go," 21 Dec. 2020 How deliberately George inhabits each frame of video, each note of each song. — Washington Post, "Sorry, Wham! haters: The only thing wrong with ‘Last Christmas’ is how you’ve been listening to it," 19 Dec. 2020 Elaborate production designs guarantee that every frame of the movies contains a Christmas tree, an ornament, a Santa or some other joyful symbol of the holidays. — Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: Holiday TV wants to ignore COVID-19. The alternate reality is an insult to viewers," 16 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Those efforts were an attempt to frame the whistle-blower Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of the lab, as being part of a plot to extort athletes who had been caught doping. — New York Times, "Three Judges Endorsed Penalties for Russia’s Doping. Then They Cut the Ban in Half.," 13 Jan. 2021 Currently owned by actor Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely, towering mature palm trees frame the lush 12,500 sq. — Mike Rose, cleveland, "Take a tour of Pierce Brosnan’s Malibu beach house (video)," 30 Dec. 2020 Johnson will frame the election as a choice between a willingness to make long-term investments in the city’s future and a belief that the city should limit itself to core functions such as streets, sidewalks and public safety. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Garcia: Conservative Clayton Perry draws a serious challenger in council race," 12 Dec. 2020 And most music history courses and classical radio ads alike still frame classical music in covertly, if not overtly, elite terms. — Robert Jackson Wood, The New Republic, "The Stubborn Classism of Classical Music," 10 Dec. 2020 Just frame it up and watch the recipient’s face light up. — Patrice J Williams, USA TODAY, "12 cozy home items you can buy from Black-owned businesses," 8 Dec. 2020 Democrats would frame any attempt to stall Becerra’s nomination as a move to block the vaccine distribution. — Jennifer Haberkorn, Los Angeles Times, "Republicans raise red flags over Becerra’s nomination to lead Biden health department," 7 Dec. 2020 At other times, Jonathan's lawyer, Haley Fitzgerald (Noma Dumezweni), tries to frame Elena's husband, Fernando (Ismael Cruz Córdova), as the killer. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "The Major Ways HBO's 'The Undoing' Is Different From the Book 'You Should Have Known'," 6 Dec. 2020 The masked performers — those with speaking parts as well as the angelic singer-dancers — frame the story of Christ’s birth in a straightforward, New Testament way. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "SeaWorld: ‘It’s a Wonderful Night’ show mixes in 2020 references with Christmas story," 24 Nov. 2020

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.