take-in

1 of 2

noun

: an act of taking in especially by deceiving

take in

2 of 2

verb

took in; taken in; taking in; takes in

transitive verb

1
a
: to receive as a guest or lodger
b
: to give shelter to
c
: to take to a police station as a prisoner
2
: to draw into a smaller compass
take in the slack of a line
:
a
: to make (a garment) smaller by enlarging seams or tucks
b
: furl
3
: to receive as payment or proceeds
4
: to receive (work) into one's house to be done for pay
take in washing
5
: to encompass within its limits
6
a
: to include in an itinerary
b
: attend
take in a movie
7
: to receive into the mind : perceive
took in the view
8

Example Sentences

Verb a fellow passenger on the cruise completely took me in when he claimed to be the owner of a major software company this report takes in all the latest information on the subject
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In the Seattle area, the Northwest Community Bail Fund’s annual take-in blew up from a mere $158,000 to about $5.7 million. Rob Kuznia, CNN, 21 Mar. 2023
Verb
Voters in the district, which takes in Clermont and other parts of south Lake County, received a flurry of mailers and text messages slamming Cornell and urging them to support Yarkosky, the eventual victor. Annie Martin, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2023 This year’s class is considered fairly strong at the top, a departure from a year ago when no running back was taken in the first round. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2023 The picture was taken in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace which was taken last month. Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2023 Among those on hand was team principal owner Mark Attanasio, who was taking in his 19th home opener since taking control of the team back in 2005 -- a far cry from the incredible 53 Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker has now been a part of, as Attanasio himself noted. Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2023 Gomez to Swift: ‘Proud to know you and love you forever and always’ Saturday’s concert drew 70,246 including members of the Gomez family, who took in the performance from a VIP box, accompanied by security. Isabella Volmert, Dallas News, 3 Apr. 2023 Sometimes these piles ooze putrid liquid onto the road, which my escooter takes in its stride. WIRED, 31 Mar. 2023 Cutler said the money will help pay for medical procedures for cats the shelter takes in. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2023 Early turnout so far is favoring wards Vallas took in the early round of voting. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1778, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of take-in was circa 1518

Dictionary Entries Near take-in

Cite this Entry

“Take-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take-in. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

take in

verb
1
a
: to reduce the length of
take in a slack line
b
: to make smaller by enlarging seams or tucks
take in a coat
2
a
: to receive as a guest or resident
b
: to give shelter to
3
: to receive and do at home for pay
take in washing
4
: to include within fixed limits
the camp took in several acres
5
: attend sense 4
take in a movie
6
: to observe and think about so as to understand
paused to take the situation in
7
: to deceive so as to take advantage of
taken in by a hard luck story
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!