take shape

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

The next chapter in the ongoing fight over Berkeley's Harrison Street homeless encampment is taking shape. — CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Cincinnati takes shape under Jerrod Calhoun New Cincinnati coach Jerrod Calhoun plays a funky matchup zone that is difficult to dissect and leads to a lot of turnovers. — Cj Moore, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The credential emails show what 'fair' can mean Spain’s preferred media setup is already taking shape in the WNBA. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

The future North Sacramento-Hagginwood Library is beginning to take shape in the former Sacramento News & Review building. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 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