take effect

phrase

1

: to become operative

The new regulations will take effect next year.

2

: to begin producing an expected or intended effect or result

waiting for the drug to take effect

Examples of take effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The executive order pauses new permits for facilities exceeding 50 megawatts, but Lake Mariner’s 500-megawatt buildout was already permitted before the order took effect. — Petala Ironcloud, ArsTechnica, 7 Sep. 2026

Just weeks before Florida’s order, Flock announced mandatory changes that will soon take effect to address privacy and misuse concerns, including an audit tool to flag abnormal search behavior, the Associated Press reported. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Opponents gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the new congressional map, which meant the map could not take effect unless and until voters approved it. — James A. Downs, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026

Legal challenges could delay or block the proposal from taking effect. — Steve Inskeep, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take effect

• aftereffect
• interconnect
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct