take

verb

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\ ˈtāk

took\ ˈtu̇k

\; taken\ ˈtā-kən

\; taking

Definition of take

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 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

3a : 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

4a : 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

5a : 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

7a : 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

8a : 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

11a : 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

13a(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

14a : 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

15a : 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 invite and accompany (someone) She took me to the movies. He took her on a date. They took the kids to the movies. — often + out He took her out to dinner.

d : to stop prescribing a specified regimen to —used with off took him off the medication

16a : 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

17a : 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

18a : 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

4a : 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

5a : 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

take

noun

Definition of take (Entry 2 of 2)

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

4a : 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

Other Words from take Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about take

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Synonyms for take

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

Choose the Right Synonym for take

Verb

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

Examples of take in a Sentence

Verb 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. Noun 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 on the Web: Verb It’s 1981, and the Warrens are summoned to assist in the exorcism of 8 year-old David, during which his older sister’s boyfriend, Arne (Ruairi O’Connor) demands the demon take him instead. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 June 2021 An affair ensues, war rumbles closer, and Ruth arranges for passages on a ship to take them back to America. — Star Tribune, 4 June 2021 Leo fished the banner out of the bin, but other students soon tried to take it away again. — Washington Post, 4 June 2021 But Johnson is clearly keeping his options open as a large Democratic field of candidates assembles to take him on. — Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 June 2021 According to the Wall Street Journal, Ackman’s got a SPAC—Bull Sheet needs a SPAC—that plans to buy the label, and take it public. — Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 4 June 2021 Luka Doncic and the Mavericks seized momentum early in the series, then let the Clippers take it away, only to regain it with a pivotal Game 5 win. — Matt Eppers, USA TODAY, 4 June 2021 Where did God take them if not to some eternity with him? — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 3 June 2021 Down in Brownsville, a roughly hour-drive south from McAllen, migrant families also scattered the bus station there, awaiting a bus to take them on their next stop to a family member or sponsor. — USA Today, 3 June 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Alter has a different take, insisting the defendants’ disclaimer may not be a silver bullet. — Andrea Tinianow, Forbes, 17 May 2021 Kelvin Coleman, executive director of the nonprofit National Cyber Security Alliance, had a different take. — NBC News, 12 May 2021 Dan Pfeiffer, who was one of Obama's communications directors, had a slightly different take. — Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2021 Andy Dalton had a more nuanced take after this one. — David Moore, Dallas News, 8 Dec. 2020 The change could help boost the price of the cryptocurrency Ether, which is necessary to use Ethereum, as investors who are environmentally conscious take note of its vastly smaller carbon footprint. — Matthew Leising, Fortune, 24 May 2021 While sampling ‘90s hip-hop and R&B is nothing new in dance music, Shermanology’s take is #TBTechHouse done right, giving these sisters’ sweet, angelic harmonies room to breathe against its tougher drum-heavy groove. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 21 May 2021 Hiedeman drained a pair of threes to help the Sun retake the lead over Indiana and had a commanding take to the rim to end the first quarter that put them up 26-20, capping a 21-7 run. — Alexa Philippou, courant.com, 19 May 2021 Employing a fundamental take is necessary, as a fundamental aspect of leadership is authenticity. — Imperial Business Insights, Forbes, 18 May 2021

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.

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Last Updated

6 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take. Accessed 12 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for take

take

verb

English Language Learners Definition of take

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to carry or move (something) to a place

: to carry and give (something) to a person

: to carry, move, or lead (someone) to a place

take

noun

English Language Learners Definition of take (Entry 2 of 2)

: the way that a particular person thinks about or understands something : a distinct point of view

: a particular way of dealing with or treating something

: a scene that is filmed or a song that is recorded at one time without stopping

See the full definition for take in the English Language Learners Dictionary

take

verb

\ ˈtāk

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

Kids Definition of take

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 sense 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 : win entry 1 sense 2 My essay took second prize.

14 : choose sense 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 sense 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 sense 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 sense 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.

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 : cheat entry 1 sense 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 : employ entry 1 sense 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.

take

noun

Kids Definition of take (Entry 2 of 2)

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.

Choose the Right Synonym for take

Verb

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.