1
: a particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes
phases of the moon
2
a
: a distinguishable part in a course, development, or cycle
the early phases of her career
b
: an aspect or part (as of a problem) under consideration
3
: the point or stage in a period of uniform circular motion, harmonic motion, or the periodic changes of any magnitude varying according to a simple harmonic law to which the rotation, oscillation, or variation has advanced from its standard position or assumed instant of starting
4
: a homogeneous, physically distinct, and mechanically separable portion of matter present in a nonhomogeneous physicochemical system
5
: an individual or subgroup distinguishably different in appearance or behavior from the norm of the group to which it belongs
also
: the distinguishing peculiarity
phased; phasing
1
: to adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition
2
: to conduct or carry out by planned phases
3
: to introduce in stages
—usually used with in
phase in new models
Did you know?
Phase and Faze
Phase and faze are homophones (words pronounced alike but different in meaning, derivation, or spelling) that may easily be confused. Despite the similarity in pronunciation, these words bear little semantic resemblance to one another.
Although phase can function as a verb – it is found especially in combinations such as phase out, phase in, and phase into, meaning “to end, begin, etc. in phases” – the word is most commonly encountered as a noun, in which it typically carries a meaning related to steps in a process, cycles, or stages of development (as in “phases of the moon”).
Faze is generally used only as a verb, and means “to daunt or disconcert.” It often appears in negative expressions such as “it didn’t faze her a bit” or “nothing fazes him.”
Examples of phase in a Sentence
Noun
The project will be done in three phases.
He's in the final phase of treatment now.
The building project marks a new phase in the town's development.
He has been throwing tantrums a lot, but the doctor says it's just a phase.
a calendar based on the phases of the moon
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
On the company’s quarterly earnings call, Liu said TSMC was still determining what technology would be implemented in the second phase of the fab.
—Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Majors, who was poised to be the big bad in the next phase of the Marvel cinematic universe, will avoid jail time, sources confirmed to The Times.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Those closer to the path of totality are likely to be impacted to a higher degree, with the moon blocking all direct sunlight during the short, totality phase, and limiting sunlight in partial phases.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 8 Apr. 2024
His power-play numbers, however, are fantastic, and being the best in that phase of the game should matter.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Amidst the current phase of accelerated transformation, one noticeable trend is the increasing demand for AI expertise, even as other tech job listings decline.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
The menopause resource was built in collaboration with experienced healthcare professionals, menopause experts, and everyday women experiencing different phases of menopause – all helping to inform the personalized offerings available at Versalie.com.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 Mar. 2024
During the partnership’s first phase, Mexico will assess its existing semiconductor ecosystem, as well as its regulatory framework, workforce, and infrastructure needs.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
Both the ascent vehicle and waiting service module will begin phasing maneuvers needed to rendezvous and dock, made possible by inertial measurement units, radar and optical navigation, docking ports, capture mechanisms and software algorithms, again using Chang’e-5’s mission profile as guide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2024
United has been trying to freshen up its fleet to phase the planes out.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
The new area code would be phased into use, with dates to be determined.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024
Since 2012, when Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III rules started being phased incrementally, bank regulations have not slowed down U.S. banks’ dividend payouts, share buybacks, asset growth, earnings, their political contributions to legislators, or executive compensation.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Following extensive research over the last decade that found the chemicals can leach into food and may be associated with serious health problems in humans, food manufacturers gradually began to phase them out.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024
Sweden surprised many with its announcement this past summer to reinvest in nuclear power, effectively reversing its decision decades ago to phase it out.
—Kristen Walker, National Review, 5 Feb. 2024
Time spent hanging out in the Whites will acquaint you with more of their charms, such as the spectacular displays of meteor showers and stars, constellations and moon phases the night skies bestow – unimpaired by any glow from surrounding towns, since there are so few.
—Paul McHugh, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024
Noun
The ad, from state Del. Joe Vogel, signals that campaigns have entered a new phase as Democrats in the crowded field — with little daylight between their policy stances on top issues for voters — seek to distinguish themselves before the May 14 election.
—Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
On the company’s quarterly earnings call, Liu said TSMC was still determining what technology would be implemented in the second phase of the fab.
—Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Majors, who was poised to be the big bad in the next phase of the Marvel cinematic universe, will avoid jail time, sources confirmed to The Times.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Those closer to the path of totality are likely to be impacted to a higher degree, with the moon blocking all direct sunlight during the short, totality phase, and limiting sunlight in partial phases.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 8 Apr. 2024
His power-play numbers, however, are fantastic, and being the best in that phase of the game should matter.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Amidst the current phase of accelerated transformation, one noticeable trend is the increasing demand for AI expertise, even as other tech job listings decline.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
The menopause resource was built in collaboration with experienced healthcare professionals, menopause experts, and everyday women experiencing different phases of menopause – all helping to inform the personalized offerings available at Versalie.com.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 Mar. 2024
During the partnership’s first phase, Mexico will assess its existing semiconductor ecosystem, as well as its regulatory framework, workforce, and infrastructure needs.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
The district began phasing the new grading system in at the pre-K level this year.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
Both the ascent vehicle and waiting service module will begin phasing maneuvers needed to rendezvous and dock, made possible by inertial measurement units, radar and optical navigation, docking ports, capture mechanisms and software algorithms, again using Chang’e-5’s mission profile as guide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2024
United has been trying to freshen up its fleet to phase the planes out.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
The new area code would be phased into use, with dates to be determined.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024
Since 2012, when Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III rules started being phased incrementally, bank regulations have not slowed down U.S. banks’ dividend payouts, share buybacks, asset growth, earnings, their political contributions to legislators, or executive compensation.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Following extensive research over the last decade that found the chemicals can leach into food and may be associated with serious health problems in humans, food manufacturers gradually began to phase them out.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024
Sweden surprised many with its announcement this past summer to reinvest in nuclear power, effectively reversing its decision decades ago to phase it out.
—Kristen Walker, National Review, 5 Feb. 2024
Time spent hanging out in the Whites will acquaint you with more of their charms, such as the spectacular displays of meteor showers and stars, constellations and moon phases the night skies bestow – unimpaired by any glow from surrounding towns, since there are so few.
—Paul McHugh, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to phase
Dictionary Entries Near phase
Cite this Entry
“Phase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phase. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phase
1 of 2 noun1
: a particular appearance or state in a repeating series of changes
phases of the moon
2
: a step or part in a series of events or actions : stage
3
: a particular part or feature (as of an activity, situation, or a subject being considered) : aspect
4
: a physically different portion or kind of matter present in a mixed system
the three phases ice, water, and steam
phase
2 of 2 verb
phased; phasing
1
: to do in steps according to a plan
2
: to introduce in stages
—usually used with in
phase in new models
Medical Definition
phase
noun1
: a particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes
2
: a distinguishable part in a course, development, or cycle
the early phases of a disease
3
: a point or stage in the period of a periodic motion or process (as a light wave or a vibration) in relation to an arbitrary reference or starting point in the period
4
: a homogeneous, physically distinct, and mechanically separable portion of matter present in a nonhomogeneous physicochemical system
especially
: one of the fundamental states of matter usually considered to include the solid, liquid, and gaseous forms
5
: an individual or subgroup distinguishably different in appearance or behavior from the norm of the group to which it belongs
also
: the distinguishing peculiarity
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