plural effects
1
: something that inevitably follows an antecedent (such as a cause or agent) : result, outcome
the environmental effects of the policy
the health effects of exercise
a cumulative effect
a cause and effect relationship
suffered no ill effects from the treatment
My comment had the effect of ending the conversation.
The pitcher used her slider to good/great effect. [=with a good/great result]
They've complained many times, to little/no effect.
By the turn of the century, the adverse effects of using arsenic tint were widely exposed, … and the practice (thankfully) grew out of fashion.—
Whitney Robinson
Whitney Robinson2
a
: a distinctive impression
The color gives the effect of warmth.
The moon's low placement in the sky could also cause the orb to appear bigger than usual, according to NASA, due to an effect dubbed the moon illusion.—Taylor Nicioli
Taylor Nicioli
b
: the creation of a desired impression
He paused for dramatic effect before making the big announcement.
Reynaldo revved the engine for effect, which made his father laugh.—Nell Salzman
Nell Salzman
c
: something designed to produce a distinctive or desired impression: such as
(1)
: something that alters an artistic work in order to enhance the illusion of reality or heighten dramatic appeal
—usually used in plural
the play's use of lighting effects
We're grateful that the movie doesn't try … to inflate its simple narrative with grandiose action-movie effects.—Terrence Rafferty
see also sound effects, special effects
Terrence Rafferty
(2)
: something that alters a sung, played, or recorded sound in order to produce a desired quality
—usually used in plural
[Les] Paul is also credited with helping pioneer several recording techniques, including delay effects … and overdubbing.—Troy Smith
Troy SmithAs you arrange your samples, you can add effects like reverb, raise or lower the tempo or even run the sample backward.—N'gai Croal and Walaika Haskins
N'gai Croal and Walaika Haskins3
: the quality or state of being operative : operation
The parking ban is no longer in effect.
… the … city council passed an ordinance in June of last year, going into effect in October.—Killian Baarlaer
Killian BaarlaerNo coastal warnings or watches were put into effect.—Associated Press
Associated PressThe Government intends to pass legislation giving effect to the reforms …—Thomas Coughlan
see also take effect
Thomas Coughlan4
: power to bring about a result : influence
The content itself of television … is therefore less important than its effect …—Current Biography
see also take effect
Current Biography5
6
: an outward sign : appearance
… his sufferings, instead of exciting their compassion, have been celebrated as the visible effects of divine justice.—Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon7
: a goal or purpose : end
Before the bond issue can move ahead, City Council must approve the cooperation agreement. Legislation to that effect was introduced this week.—Mark Belko
Mark BelkoI desire simply to be quit of you; and to that effect, I put a boat and complement of men at your disposal.—Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis StevensonIs all our travail turn'd to this effect?—Shakespeare
Shakespeare
see also:
in effect
to the effect
auger effect
bandwagon effect
bohr effect
butterfly effect
coriolis effect
domino effect
doppler effect
edge effect
founder effect
greenhouse effect
hall effect
halo effect
hawthorne effect
lake effect
nocebo effect
photoelectric effect
placebo effect
position effect
ripple effect
side effect
zeeman effect
Examples of effect in a Sentence
The nation's most solvent individuals—private-equity barons—have not been immune from the ill effects of the credit crunch.
—Daniel Gross, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2008
In the Spanish conquest of the Incas, guns played only a minor role. … They did produce a big psychological effect on those occasions when they managed to fire.
—Jared M. Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997
Economic effects of such high speed change are also unpredictable and somewhat chilling …
—Genevieve Stuttaford, Publisher's Weekly, 29 July 1996
Unlike the venom of coral snakes, fer-de-lance venom has no direct effect on the nervous system but digests muscle, destroys blood cells and causes hemorrhaging and massive edema (swelling).
—Robert K. Colwell, Natural History, April 1985
He now needs more of the drug to achieve the same effect.
The experience has had a bad effect on him.
Computers have had a profound effect on our lives.
The effects of the drug soon wore off.
This treatment causes fewer ill effects.
The change in policy had little effect on most people.
He was able to stop taking the drug without ill effect.
The total effect of the painting was one of gloom.
The color gives the effect of being warm.
He achieves amazing effects with wood.
Daniel Gross, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2008
In the Spanish conquest of the Incas, guns played only a minor role. … They did produce a big psychological effect on those occasions when they managed to fire.
—Jared M. Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997
Economic effects of such high speed change are also unpredictable and somewhat chilling …
—Genevieve Stuttaford, Publisher's Weekly, 29 July 1996
Unlike the venom of coral snakes, fer-de-lance venom has no direct effect on the nervous system but digests muscle, destroys blood cells and causes hemorrhaging and massive edema (swelling).
—Robert K. Colwell, Natural History, April 1985
He now needs more of the drug to achieve the same effect.
The experience has had a bad effect on him.
Computers have had a profound effect on our lives.
The effects of the drug soon wore off.
This treatment causes fewer ill effects.
The change in policy had little effect on most people.
He was able to stop taking the drug without ill effect.
The total effect of the painting was one of gloom.
The color gives the effect of being warm.
He achieves amazing effects with wood.
Recent Examples on the Web
Your cancellation goes into effect at the end of your current subscription period.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026
The exemption will take effect from April 1, 2026, as per the government’s release.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 June 2026
But what hasn’t been appreciated is AI’s effect on patience.
—Christian B. Miller, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Although lawmakers passed a bill in 2025 to address these costs, the law has not taken effect, leaving libraries to continue operating under what many describe as unsustainable pricing systems, library directors across the state said.
—Julia Casola, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for effect
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026
The exemption will take effect from April 1, 2026, as per the government’s release.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 June 2026
But what hasn’t been appreciated is AI’s effect on patience.
—Christian B. Miller, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Although lawmakers passed a bill in 2025 to address these costs, the law has not taken effect, leaving libraries to continue operating under what many describe as unsustainable pricing systems, library directors across the state said.
—Julia Casola, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for effect
Video
How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'
A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)
Cite this Entry
“Effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effect. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
effect
1 of 2 noun
ef·fect
i-ˈfekt 
1
: an event, condition, or state of affairs that is produced by a cause
2
: influence entry 1 sense 1
the effect of climate on growth
3
plural
: personal property or possessions
household effects
4
: the act of making a particular impression
talked merely for effect
5
: execution sense 1, operation
the law went into effect today
Medical Definition
effect
noun
ef·fect
i-ˈfekt
: something that is produced by an agent or cause
obtained the same effect with a smaller dose
Legal Definition
effect
1 of 2 noun
ef·fect
1
: something that is produced by an agent or cause
2
plural
: personal property sense 1 at property : goods
the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures—U.S. Constitution amend. IV
U.S. Constitution amend. IV3
: the quality or state of being operative
when the new law goes into effect
effect
2 of 2 transitive verb1
: to cause to come into being
2
: to bring about often by surmounting obstacles
effect a settlement of the dispute
3
: to put into operation
the duty of the legislature to effect the will of the citizens
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