take form

idiomatic phrase

: to assume a definite or distinctive form : take shape

By the end of the day, the computer gave him billions of possible amino-acid combinations and recommended the best one. … About a minute later, he noticed that the protein was taking form.

—Michael Elliott

But in Silicon Valley one finds innovative ideas taking form not merely in such things as product design or manufacturing process, but also in employee relations.

—Edward K. Yasaki

When they got to the top, Esperanza looked out over the valley. … Below, she could see the white roofs of the cabins in straight rows, the fields beginning to take form …

—Pam Muñoz Ryan

Examples of take form in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Often rooted in flawed research, this has taken form in phrenology, justifications for slavery, and eugenics, all of which with devastating consequences. —Thiago Arzua, STAT, 15 Mar. 2024

John loves his authenticity and seeing a real identity take form on the stage with this performance. —Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 13 Nov. 2023

With Green back in the fold and a strong five-man lineup starting to take form, that optimism may just be justified. —Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2024

In the years that followed, McKinley was in the thick of the chaos at the state’s marijuana coordination office, dodging and weaving as a new industry took form and regulations were put in place. —John Aguilar, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2024

The idea of a proper Inspired By soundtrack started to take form during an April lunch between Sanders and Jackson after the gamma. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Dec. 2023

But as soon as the band’s wispy electro-pop begins to take form, her presence becomes magnetic. —Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2023

For what that means, think back to May of this year: What were the rapid changes, sudden upsets, and radical endings and beginnings taking form in your life then? —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2023

Then came the other component of creating the coffeehouse feel, the social component, which took form in the personalization of each drink order. —Ellie Stevens, CNN, 27 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above