take shape
idiomatic phrase
: to assume a definite or distinctive form : to develop and become apparent or established
The plan is finally taking shape.
Edison's tireless work habits took shape during his childhood …—
Paul Gray
Paul GrayThe proto-planetary fragments crashed together, coalesced by gravity, and crashed again into other fragments, until they gradually took shape as the planets we know today.—M. Mitchell Waldrop
M. Mitchell Waldrop… the first half of the century, before the modern medical system took shape.—Geoffrey Cowley
Geoffrey CowleyExamples of take shape in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Across the room are Lamar Hunt’s own file cabinets, packed with folders dating from 1959 as plans took shape for the new league.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Mountain West players and coaches are laser-focused on football as the conference race takes shape.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
But a younger crew was beginning to take shape in the Philadelphia underworld.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
With the Short Film Fund, that mission takes shape through new voices and fresh perspectives.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take shape
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.
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Mountain West players and coaches are laser-focused on football as the conference race takes shape.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
But a younger crew was beginning to take shape in the Philadelphia underworld.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
With the Short Film Fund, that mission takes shape through new voices and fresh perspectives.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take shape
Cite this Entry
“Take shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20shape. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share