take

verb \ ˈtāk \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of take

took play \ˈtu̇k\; taken play \ˈtā-kən\; taking

transitive verb

1 : to get into one's hands or into one's possession, power, or control: such as

a : to seize or capture physically

took them as prisoners

b : to get possession of (fish or game) by killing or capturing

c (1) : to move against (an opponent's piece, as in in chess) and remove from play

(2) : to win in a card game

able to take 12 tricks

d : to acquire by eminent domain

2 : grasp, grip

take the ax by the handle

3 a : to catch or attack through the effect of a sudden force or influence

taken with a fit of laughing

taken ill

b : to catch or come upon in a particular situation or action

was taken unawares

c : to gain the approval or liking of : captivate, delight

was quite taken with her at their first meeting

4 a : to receive into one's body (as by swallowing, drinking, or inhaling)

take a pill

b : to put oneself into (sun, air, water, etc.) for pleasure or physical benefit

c : to partake of : eat

takes dinner about seven

5 a : to bring or receive into a relation or connection

takes just four students a year

it's time he took a wife

b : to copulate with

6 : to transfer into one's own keeping:

a : appropriate

someone took my hat

b : to obtain or secure for use (as by lease, subscription, or purchase)

take a cottage for the summer

I'll take the red one

took an ad in the paper

7 a : assume

gods often took the likeness of a human being

when the college took its present form

b (1) : to enter into or undertake the duties of

take a job

take office

(2) : to move onto or into : move into position on

the home team took the field

take the witness stand

c (1) : to bind oneself by

take the oath of office

(2) : to make (a decision) especially with finality or authority

d : to impose upon oneself

take the trouble to do good work

take pains to make her feel welcome

e (1) : to adopt as one's own

take a stand on the issue

take an interest

(2) : to align or ally oneself with

mother took his side

f : to assume as if rightfully one's own or as if granted

take the credit

g : to accept the burden or consequences of

took the blame

h : to have or assume as a proper part of or accompaniment to itself

transitive verbs take an object

8 a : to secure by winning in competition

took first place

b : defeat

9 : to pick out : choose, select

took the best apple

10 : to adopt, choose, or avail oneself of for use: such as

a : to have recourse to as an instrument for doing something

take a scythe to the weeds

b : to use as a means of transportation or progression

take the bus

c : to have recourse to for safety or refuge

take shelter

d : to go along, into, or through

took a different route

e (1) : to proceed to occupy

take a seat in the rear

(2) : to use up (space, time, etc.)

takes a long time to dry

(3) : need, require

takes a size nine shoe

it takes two to start a fight

11 a : to obtain by deriving from a source : draw

takes its title from the name of the hero

b (1) : to obtain as the result of a special procedure : ascertain

take the temperature

take a census

(2) : to get in or as if in writing

take notes

take an inventory

(3) : to get by drawing or painting or by photography

take a snapshot

(4) : to get by transference from one surface to another

take a proof

take fingerprints

12 : to receive or accept whether willingly or reluctantly

take a bribe

will you take this call

take a bet

: such as

a (1) : to submit to : endure

take a cut in pay

(2) : withstand

it will take a lot of punishment

(3) : suffer

took a direct hit

b (1) : to accept as true : believe

I'll take your word for it

(2) : follow

take my advice

(3) : to accept or regard with the mind in a specified way

took the news hard

you take yourself too seriously

c : to indulge in and enjoy

was taking his ease on the porch

d : to receive or accept as a return (as in payment, compensation, or reparation)

we don't take credit cards

e : to accept in a usually professional relationship —often used with on

agreed to take him on as a client

f : to refrain from hitting at (a pitched ball)

take a strike

13 a (1) : to let in : admit

the boat was taking water fast

(2) : accommodate

the suitcase wouldn't take another thing

b : to be affected injuriously by (something, such as a disease) : contract

take cold

; also : to be seized by

take a fit

take fright

c : to absorb or become impregnated with (something, such as dye); also : to be effectively treated by

a surface that takes a fine polish

14 a : apprehend, understand

how should I take your remark

b : consider, suppose

I take it you're not going

c : reckon, accept

taking a stride at 30 inches

d : feel, experience

take pleasure

take an instant dislike to someone

take offense

15 a : to lead, carry, or cause to go along to another place

this bus will take you into town

took an umbrella with her

b : to cause to move to a specified state, condition, or sphere of activity

took the company public

took his team to the finals

c : to stop prescribing a specified regimen to —used with off

took him off the medication

16 a : remove

take eggs from a nest

b (1) : to put an end to (life)

(2) : to remove by death

was taken in his prime

c : subtract

take two from four

d : exact

the weather took its toll

17 a : to undertake and make, do, or perform

take a walk

take aim

take legal action

take a test

take a look

b : to participate in

take a meeting

18 a : to deal with

take first things first

b : to consider or view in a particular relation

taken together, the details were significant

; especially : to consider as an example

take style, for instance

c (1) : to apply oneself to the study of

take music lessons

take French

(2) : to study for especially successfully

taking a degree in engineering

took holy orders

19 : to obtain money from especially fraudulently

took me for all I had

20 : to pass or attempt to pass through, along, or over

took the curve too fast

take the stairs two at a time

intransitive verb

1 : to obtain possession: such as

a : capture

b : to receive property under law as one's own

2 : to lay hold : catch, hold

3 : to establish a take especially by uniting or growing

90 percent of the grafts take

4 a : to betake oneself : set out : go

take after a purse snatcher

b chiefly dialectal —used as an intensifier or redundantly with a following verb

took and swung at the ball

5 a : to take effect : act, operate

hoped the lesson he taught would take

b : to show the natural or intended effect

dry fuel takes readily

6 : charm, captivate

a taking smile

7 : detract

8 : to be seized or attacked in a specified way : become

took sick

—

taker

noun

— take a back seat

: to have or assume a secondary position or status

— take a bath

: to suffer a heavy financial loss

— take account of

: to take into account

— take advantage of

1 : to use to advantage : profit by

2 : to impose on : exploit; also : to exploit sexually

— take after

: to resemble in features, build, character, or disposition

— take a hike or less commonly take a walk

: to go away : leave

— take aim at

: target 1

new legislation that takes aim at crime

— take apart

1 : to disconnect the pieces of : disassemble

2 : to treat roughly or harshly : tear into

— take a powder

: to leave hurriedly

— take care

: to be careful or watchful : exercise caution or prudence

— take care of

: to attend to or provide for the needs, operation, or treatment of

— take charge

: to assume care, custody, command, or control

— take effect

1 : to become operative

2 : to be effective

— take exception

: object

took exception to the remark

— take five or take ten

: to take a break especially from work

— take for

: to suppose to be; especially : to suppose mistakenly to be

— take for a ride

: trick, cheat

— take for granted

1 : to assume as true, real, or expected

2 : to value too lightly

— take heart

: to gain courage or confidence

— take hold

1 : grasp, grip, seize

2 : to become attached or established : take effect

— take into account

: to make allowance for

— take in vain

: to use (a name) profanely or without proper respect

— take issue

: disagree

— take it on the chin

: to suffer from the results of a situation

— take kindly to

: to show an inclination to accept or approve

— take no prisoners

: to be merciless or relentless (as in exploiting an advantage)

a politician who takes no prisoners

— take notice of

: to observe or treat with special attention

— take one's time

: to be leisurely about doing something

— take part

: join, participate, share

— take place

: happen, occur

— take root

1 : to become rooted

2 : to become fixed or established

— take shape

: to assume a definite or distinctive form

— take ship

: set out on a voyage by ship

— take the cake

: to carry off the prize : rank first

— take the count

1 of a boxer : to be counted out

2 : to go down in defeat

— take the floor

: to rise (as in a meeting or a legislative assembly) to make a formal address

— take the mickey

British

: joke, kid

— take the mickey out of

British

: to make fun of : tease

— take the plunge

: to do or undertake something decisively especially after a period of hesitation or uncertainty

— take to

1 : to go to or into

take to the woods

2 : to apply or devote oneself to (something, such as a practice, habit, or occupation)

take to begging

3 : to adapt oneself to : respond to

takes to water like a duck

4 : to conceive a liking for

— take to court

: to bring before a judicial body; especially : sue 3

— take to task

: to call to account for a shortcoming : criticize

— take to the cleaners

: to deprive of money or possessons : clean out

— take turns

: alternate

See take defined for English-language learners

See take defined for kids

Examples of take in a Sentence

She took her things to her room.
It looks like rain. You had better take an umbrella with you.
This bus takes you downtown.
Her office is down that hallway. I can take you there, if you want me to.
He was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
She took us for a ride in her new car.
He's not the kind of guy you can take home to meet your parents.
She took her child to one side and scolded him.
I took the pen and signed my name.
Take the pan by the handle.

Recent Examples of take from the Web

Amazon takes about 70 percent of all e-book sales and 30 percent of all U.S. e-commerce.

— paula dwyer, Bloomberg.com, "Should America’s Tech Giants Be Broken Up?," 20 July 2017
So my parents stopped taking me to conventional doctors altogether and started relying primarily on homeopathy and Ayurveda, a form of Indian herbal medicine, in addition to stones that apparently reflected the light of the planets.

— raka chaki, Teen Vogue, "Vitiligo: My Journey Through Art," 20 July 2017
This isn’t an argument for asking every Muslim to ritually denounce every action taken by every individual radical.

— dan mclaughlin, National Review, "Anti-Radical Muslims Need to Organize and Draw Lines," 20 July 2017
On this day in 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong took one giant leap to became the first human to walk on it.

— ajc homepage, ajc, "11 things you probably never knew about the historic Apollo 11 moon landing," 20 July 2017
Join the Young At Art Museum from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at D.C. Alexander Park on Fort Lauderdale Beach to take part in a collective art-making experience.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Best events for kids this weekend: Free museum day, fun fests," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'take.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of take

Middle English, from Old English tacan, from Old Norse taka; akin to Middle Dutch taken to take

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

take Synonyms

Phrases

get the better of, knock for a loop;

Synonym Discussion of take

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand. take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

- take some salad from the bowl

seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

- seized the suspect

grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

- grasp the handle and pull

clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

- clutching her purse

snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

- snatched a doughnut and ran

grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

- grabbed roughly by the arm

take

noun

Definition of take

1 : a distinct or personal point of view, outlook, or assessment

was asked for her take on recent developments

; also : a distinct treatment or variation

a new take on an old style

2 : an act or the action of taking: such as

a (1) : the uninterrupted photographing or televising of a scene

(2) : the making of a sound recording

b : the action of killing, capturing, or catching something (such as game or fish)

3 : something that is taken:

a : the amount of money received : proceeds, receipts, income

b : share, cut

wanted a bigger take

c (1) : a scene filmed or televised at one time without stopping the camera

(2) : a sound recording made during a single recording period; especially : a trial recording

d : the number or quantity (as of animals, fish, or pelts) taken at one time : catch, haul

e : a section or installment done as a unit or at one time

4 a : a local or systemic reaction indicative of successful vaccination (as against smallpox)

b : a successful union (as of a graft)

5 : a visible response or reaction (as to something unexpected)

a delayed take

— on the take

: illegally paid for favors

See take defined for English-language learners

Examples of take in a Sentence

It took us 20 takes to get the scene right.
She nailed it on the first take.
He stands to earn 10 percent of the company's $1 million take on the deal.
She was expecting a bigger take.

Recent Examples of take from the Web

This is an ingenuous approach to RoboCop in 2018, and writer Brian Wood deserves all the credit for such a relevant take that still honors the original material.

— will nevin, OregonLive.com, "TBT #34: Retired Robocop, Cold War vets and more coming in comics," 11 Apr. 2018
That game likely sealed the Rookie of the Year race, a merciful conclusion to a months-long festival of takes and stats and personal attacks that has been almost worse than last year's MVP debate.

— andrew sharp, SI.com, "Ben Simmons Is Rookie of the Year, But Where Will He Go From Here?," 11 Apr. 2018
Where others see inconsistency, Mr. Bannon sees the culmination of three decades of take-no-prisoners trade rhetoric by Mr. Trump.

— New York Times, "To Bannon, Tariffs on China Will Be Ultimate Test of Trump’s Beliefs," 9 Apr. 2018
The cream color allows it to pair beautifully with other wardrobe colors and to give a neutral look a fresh take for spring. Drape it over your shoulders for cool girl status.

— NBC News, "Work looks for millennial women this spring," 6 Apr. 2018
Scroll down for the schedule details on Frontier’s new routes and a local take from each of the markets.

— ben mutzabaugh, USA TODAY, "Frontier Airlines adds four mid-size cities to its route map," 5 Apr. 2018
The issue of take-home versus dine-in might become more tangible as the idyllic spring becomes the unbearable summer that drives diners indoors — and there is very little indoors here.

— mike sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: Outlaw Kitchens sets a neighborly table in Alta Vista," 5 Apr. 2018
Kia Nurse and dear friend Gabby Williams are the take-no-crap seniors for this year’s Huskies.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "Kia Nurse's Tough Touch: UConn Guard The Adult In The Room," 30 Mar. 2018
Costing about $400,000, the movie took in $2.5 million in its initial release; subsequent re-releases pushed its box-office take to $12.5 million.

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Delores Taylor, wife and 'Billy Jack' filmmaking partner of Tom Laughlin, dies at 85," 28 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of take

1589

take Synonyms

Synonyms

allotment, allowance, cut, end, part, piece, portion, proportion, quota, share, slice;

Near Antonyms

aggregate, composite, compound, pool, sum, total, totality;

whole;

Related Words

lot, ration;

commission, percentage;

member, partition, section, segment;

Financial Definition of TAKE

take a bath

verb

What It Is

To "take a bath" means to take a large loss.

How It Works

John Doe buys Company XYZ shares at $10. Two weeks later, the stock tanks to $2 a share. John Doe has to sell the shares because he has to pay an outstanding tax bill and needs the cash. He sells at a big loss and takes a bath.

Why It Matters

Much like cats, investors hate taking baths.

Source: Investing Answers

TAKE Defined for Kids

take

verb \ ˈtāk \

Definition of take for Students

took \ˈtu̇k\; taken \ˈtā-kən\; taking

1 : to get hold of : grasp

You should take it by the handle.

He took my hand.

2 : to carry or go with from one place to another

I'll take you home.

This bus will take us there.

3 : to get control of : capture

took the fort

4 : to receive into the body

Don't forget to take your medicine.

5 : to get possession or use of

She took the book from the table.

We will take a cottage by the shore for the summer.

6 : to begin to perform the responsibilities of : assume

She took charge.

A new mayor took office.

7 : to do the action of

Let's take a walk.

8 : to use as a way of going from one place to another

I take the bus.

We'll take the highway.

9 : require 1

It will take a long time.

I take a size ten.

10 : to put up with : endure

I don't have to take that from you.

11 : to come upon

We took them by surprise.

12 : to adopt or accept

He took my side in the argument.

She took all the credit.

13 : ¹win 2

My essay took second prize.

14 : choose 1, select

I'll take the red one.

15 : to sit in or on

Please take a seat.

16 : to find out by testing or examining

Let me take your temperature.

17 : to save in some permanent form

He took down every word of the speech.

Will you take a picture?

18 : believe 2

I took it to be the truth.

You can take my word for it.

19 : to be guided by : follow

He refused to take my advice.

20 : to become affected suddenly

She took sick just before the holiday.

21 : understand 4, interpret

I took it to mean something different.

22 : to react in a certain way

They take pleasure in music.

Don't take offense.

23 : subtract

Take 2 from 4.

24 : consider 1

For example, take this sentence …
—Andrew Clements, Frindle

25 : to have effect : be successful

The vaccination took.

26 : to be formed or used with

Prepositions take objects.

27 : captivate, delight

We were taken with its beauty.

—

taker

noun

— take advantage of

1 : to make good use of

Take advantage of your free time.

2 : to treat (someone) unfairly

— take after

: resemble

Many children take after their parents.

— take back

: to try to cancel (as something said)

I take it back. I really don't hate you.

— take care

: to be careful

— take care of

: to do what is needed : look after

— take charge

: to assume care or control

— take effect

1 : to go into existence or operation

The new rate takes effect Monday.

2 : to have an intended or expected result

Wait for the medicine to take effect.

— take for granted

: to assume as true, real, or expected

— take hold

: to become attached or established

The tree I planted never took hold.

— take in

1 : to make smaller

She took the dress in.

2 : to receive as a guest

We took in travelers for the night.

3 : to allow to join

The club is not taking in new members.

4 : to receive and do at home for pay

She takes in washing.

5 : to have within its limits

The tour takes in both museums.

6 : to go to

Let's take in a movie.

7 : to get the meaning of

He took in the situation at a glance.

8 : ¹cheat 1

They were taken in by an old trick.

— take off

1 : to take away (a covering) : remove

You can take your shoes off.

2 : deduct

I'm willing to take off ten percent.

3 : to leave a surface in beginning a flight or leap

The plane is taking off now.

— take on

1 : to begin (a task) or struggle against (an opponent)

She took on the champion.

2 : to gain or show as or as if a part of oneself

The city took on a carnival mood.

3 : ¹employ 1

The business will take on more workers.

4 : to make an unusual show of grief or anger

Don't take on so.

— take over

: to get control of

Military leaders took over the government.

— take part

: to do or join in something together with others

Come take part in the fun.

— take place

: to come about or occur : happen

The meeting took place yesterday.

— take up

1 : to get together from many sources

We'll take up a collection for the gift.

2 : to start something for the first time or after a pause

I'd like to take up painting.

Our class took up the lesson where we left off.

3 : to change by making tighter or shorter

She needs to take up the dress in the back.

Synonym Discussion of take

take, seize, and grasp mean to get a hold on with or as if with the hand. take can be used of any way of getting possession or control of something.

- Please take this gift.
- You took more food than you can use.

seize is used for an act of taking something suddenly and by force.

- A police officer seized the thief in the act of escaping.

grasp is used for taking something in the hand and keeping it there firmly.

- Grasp my arm and walk slowly.

take

noun

Definition of take for Students

1 : the number or quantity of animals or fish killed, captured, or caught

2 : money received

His take from the sale was half the price.

Medical Dictionary

take

intransitive verb \ ˈtāk \

medical Definition of take

took play \ˈtu̇k\; taken play \ˈtā-kən\; taking

1 : to establish a take especially by uniting or growing

with an experienced surgeon some 90 percent of the grafts take
—Lancet

2 of a vaccine or vaccination : to produce a take

take

noun

medical Definition of take

1 : a local or systemic reaction indicative of successful vaccination

2 : a successful union (as of a graft)

Law Dictionary

take

verb

legal Definition of take

took; taken; taking

transitive verb

1 a : to obtain control, custody, or possession of often by assertive or intentional means

b : to seize or interfere with the use of (property) by governmental authority; specifically : to acquire title to for public use by eminent domain

2 a : to undertake the duties of

take office

b : to bind oneself by

take an oath

3 : to get in writing

4 a : to accept the tender of (as a promise)

b : to accept (as an oath, affidavit, or deposition) in a legal capacity (as by administering or witnessing)

5 a : to set in motion

take an appeal

b : to claim or exercise as an option or right

take depreciation

6 : to put or set forth

take an exception

intransitive verb

: to obtain ownership or possession of property

take free of a security interest

; specifically : to receive the title to an estate

take as an heir

— take the Fifth

: to exercise the privilege against self-incrimination based on the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Learn More about take

See words that rhyme with take Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for take Spanish Central: Translation of take Nglish: Translation of take for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of take for Arabic speakers

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take

Definition of take

taker

Examples of take in a Sentence

Recent Examples of take from the Web

Origin and Etymology of take

take Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

Synonym Discussion of take

take

Definition of take

Examples of take in a Sentence

Recent Examples of take from the Web

First Known Use of take

take Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Financial Definition of TAKE

What It Is

How It Works

Why It Matters

TAKE Defined for Kids

take

Definition of take for Students

taker

Synonym Discussion of take

take

Definition of take for Students

Medical Dictionary

take

medical Definition of take

take

medical Definition of take

Law Dictionary

take

legal Definition of take

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