take on

verb

took on; taken on; taking on; takes on

transitive verb

1
a
: to begin to perform or deal with : undertake
took on new responsibilities
b
: to contend with as an opponent
took on the neighborhood bully
2
3
a
: to assume or acquire as or as if one's own
the city's plaza takes on a carnival airW. T. LeViness
b
: to have as a mathematical domain or range
what values does the function take on

intransitive verb

: to show one's feelings especially of grief or anger in a demonstrative way
she cried, and took on like a distracted bodyDaniel Defoe

Examples of take on in a Sentence

will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate decided to take her on as store manager
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Now the company is forging ahead with a new chapter under the direction of Adidas veteran Arthur Hoeld, who took on the role as chairman and chief executive officer on July 1. Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025 This chess set is an elevated take on a classic game. Jaclyn Kaufman May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 The Arab and Muslim states that are supposed to rebuild and help govern Gaza are unlikely to take on the job while violence and disorder still reign there. Barry Strauss, Time, 21 Oct. 2025 The set of Guillermo del Toro's take on Frankenstein might not seem like the place for jokes, but star Oscar Isaac definitely heard them on the director's set — all in the name of his performance. Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take on

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of take on was in 1567

Cite this Entry

“Take on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20on. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

take on

verb
1
: to struggle with as an opponent
2
: employ entry 1 sense 2
took on more workers
3
: to acquire (as an appearance or quality) as one's own
take on weight
4
: to make an unusual show of one's feelings especially of grief or anger
don't take on so

More from Merriam-Webster on take on

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