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take

verb \ ˈtāk \
|Updated on: 11 Jun 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

  1. She took her things to her room.

  2. It looks like rain. You had better take an umbrella with you.

  3. This bus takes you downtown.

  4. Her office is down that hallway. I can take you there, if you want me to.

  5. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

  6. She took us for a ride in her new car.

  7. He's not the kind of guy you can take home to meet your parents.

  8. She took her child to one side and scolded him.

  9. I took the pen and signed my name.

  10. Take the pan by the handle.

Recent Examples of take from the Web

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

take Synonyms

Synonyms

beat, best, conquer, defeat, dispatch, get, get around, lick, master, overbear, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), skunk, subdue, surmount, trim, triumph (over), upend, win (against), worst;

Antonyms

lose (to);

Near Antonyms

fall, give up, go down, go under;

collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, wash out;

Related Words

sweep;

edge (out), nose out;

annihilate, blow away, blow out, bomb, break, bury, clobber, cream, crush, drub, finish, flatten, overwhelm, rout, shellac, skin, slaughter, smoke [slang], snow under, thrash, trounce, upset, wallop, wax [slang], whip;

cap, excel, flourish, score, succeed;

knock off, knock over, overpower, overthrow, subjugate, unseat, vanquish;

ace (out), better, eclipse, exceed, excel, outdistance, outdo, outfight, outshine, outstrip, overtop, surpass, top, transcend;

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
2

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

  1. It took us 20 takes to get the scene right.

  2. She nailed it on the first take.

  3. He stands to earn 10 percent of the company's million take on the deal.

  4. She was expecting a bigger take.

Recent Examples of take from the Web

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.

First Known Use of take

1589

in the meaning defined at sense 2b

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

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

1

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.
2

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

1

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
2

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

  1. 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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