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

The 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

… the first half of the century, before the modern medical system took shape.

—Geoffrey Cowley

Examples of take shape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Krupa has since gotten involved with others around the state involved in similar efforts, and ultimately the Illinois Network to Freedom Collective took shape. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

Getting all these complexities in is really when the script began to take shape. —Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026

The inspiration came during pregnancy and took shape after my son’s birth, as the baby grew and discovered the world. —Kevin Giraud, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026

Now, commuters along East Riverside Drive are navigating increasing development taking shape along a short stretch of the thoroughfare’s westbound lanes. —Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take shape

• cityscape
• agape
• escape
• landscape
• lenape
• reshape
• seascape
• soundscape
• ape
• cape
• crape
• crepe