take effect

idiomatic 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told a House committee that businesses' rush to build their inventories earlier this year ahead of tariffs taking effect has helped delay any inflationary impacts from the import duties. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 26 June 2025 About 60% of U.S.-based employees are expected to be put in foreign posts if the layoffs and rearrangements take effect within the coming weeks. Morgan Kromer, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025 Israel time on Tuesday — hours before that ceasefire was scheduled to take effect — Israeli warplanes carried out their heaviest round of attacks of the whole war. Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 June 2025 The incident comes days after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect, following nearly two weeks of hostilities. Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for take effect

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of take effect was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Take effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20effect. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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