take on
verb
took on; taken on; taking on; takes on
1
a
: to begin to perform or deal with : undertake
took on new responsibilities
b
: to contend with as an opponent
took on the neighborhood bully
3
a
: to assume or acquire as or as if one's own
… the city's plaza takes on a carnival air.—
W. T. LeViness
W. T. LeViness
b
: to have as a mathematical domain or range
what values does the function take on
: to show one's feelings especially of grief or anger in a demonstrative way
… she cried, and took on like a distracted body …—Daniel Defoe
Daniel DefoeExamples of take on in a Sentence
will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate
decided to take her on as store manager
Recent Examples on the Web
Actors abound, allowing guests to lean in and take on an active role.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The move comes as many companies are increasingly looking to agents — AI capable of taking on and executing relatively complex tasks — as a way to boost employee productivity and automate rote chores.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
The auction takes on a life of its own, as bidders lose the capacity to make rational decisions in their desire to win.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
With its mixture of brandy and whiskey and its extra dose of fruit, this cocktail is like what would happen if the Mint Julep and the American Trilogy had a European lovechild, and is a delicious new take on a drink as old as time.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take on
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Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The move comes as many companies are increasingly looking to agents — AI capable of taking on and executing relatively complex tasks — as a way to boost employee productivity and automate rote chores.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
The auction takes on a life of its own, as bidders lose the capacity to make rational decisions in their desire to win.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
With its mixture of brandy and whiskey and its extra dose of fruit, this cocktail is like what would happen if the Mint Julep and the American Trilogy had a European lovechild, and is a delicious new take on a drink as old as time.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take on
Cite this Entry
“Take on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20on. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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