takeaway

noun

take·​away ˈtāk-ə-ˌwā 

1

: a conclusion to be made based on presented facts or information : a main point or key message to be learned or understood from something experienced or observed

The takeaway is clear: cats are a growing environmental concern because they are driving down some native bird populations …

—Bruce Barcott

One of the main takeaways stressed by the panelists was that social media is about conversation, not just dissemination.

—Gabe Habash

2

: the first movement of the backswing in golf

3

chiefly British : takeout

4

: an act or instance of taking possession of the ball or puck from an opposing team

takeaway adjective

Examples of takeaway in a Sentence

We ordered some Chinese takeaway.

She works in a Chinese takeaway.

He leads the league in takeaways.

Recent Examples on the Web

Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 123-99 loss to the Indiana Pacers (8-31) on Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to fall to 0-2 on its trip. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026

Rookie tight end Colston Loveland came on strong down the stretch, too, and the Bears were masterful in turnover differential — more takeaways (33) and fewer giveaways (11) than any other team. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

What are the main takeaways from the 2025 disaster list? —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026

That’s a key takeaway from the extraordinary coverage my colleague Matthew Ormseth produced on prison gangs in California. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for takeaway

• andromache
• bioassay
• cabriolet
• cercariae
• communique
• companionway
• compositae
• decussate
• examinee
• fabaceae
• glyphosate
• microarray

Kids Definition

takeaway

noun

take·​away ˈtā-kə-ˌwā 

1

chiefly British : takeout sense 3

2

: an act or instance of taking possession of the ball or puck from an opposing team