\ ˈtāk
\
\
took\
ˈtu̇k
\; taken\
ˈtā-kən
\; taking
\; taken\
ˈtā-kən
\; taking
Definition of take
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to get into one's hands or into one's possession, power, or control: such as
a
: to seize or capture physically
took them as prisoners
b
: to get possession of (fish or game) by killing or capturing
c(1)
: to move against (an opponent's piece, as in chess) and remove from play
(2)
: to win in a card game
able to take 12 tricks
d
: to acquire by eminent domain
3a
: to catch or attack through the effect of a sudden force or influence
taken with a fit of laughing taken ill
b
: to catch or come upon in a particular situation or action
was taken unawares
4a
: to receive into one's body (as by swallowing, drinking, or inhaling)
take a pill
b
: to put oneself into (sun, air, water, etc.) for pleasure or physical benefit
c
: to partake of : eat
takes dinner about seven
5a
: to bring or receive into a relation or connection
takes just four students a year it's time he took a wife
b
: to copulate with
6
: to transfer into one's own keeping:
a
: appropriate
someone took my hat
b
: to obtain or secure for use (as by lease, subscription, or purchase)
take a cottage for the summer I'll take the red one took an ad in the paper
7a
: assume
gods often took the likeness of a human being when the college took its present form
b(1)
: to enter into or undertake the duties of
take a job take office
(2)
: to move onto or into : move into position on
the home team took the field take the witness stand
c(1)
: to bind oneself by
take the oath of office
(2)
: to make (a decision) especially with finality or authority
d
: to impose upon oneself
take the trouble to do good work take pains to make her feel welcome
e(1)
: to adopt as one's own
take a stand on the issue take an interest
(2)
: to align or ally oneself with
mother took his side
f
: to assume as if rightfully one's own or as if granted
take the credit
g
: to accept the burden or consequences of
took the blame
h
: to have or assume as a proper part of or accompaniment to itself
transitive verbs take an object
8a
: to secure by winning in competition
took first place
b
: defeat
10
: to adopt, choose, or avail oneself of for use: such as
a
: to have recourse to as an instrument for doing something
take a scythe to the weeds
b
: to use as a means of transportation or progression
take the bus
c
: to have recourse to for safety or refuge
take shelter
d
: to go along, into, or through
took a different route
11a
: to obtain by deriving from a source : draw
takes its title from the name of the hero
b(1)
: to obtain as the result of a special procedure : ascertain
take the temperature take a census
(2)
: to get in or as if in writing
take notes take an inventory
(3)
: to get by drawing or painting or by photography
take a snapshot
(4)
: to get by transference from one surface to another
take a proof take fingerprints
c
: to indulge in and enjoy
was taking his ease on the porch
d
: to receive or accept as a return (as in payment, compensation, or reparation)
we don't take credit cards
e
: to accept in a usually professional relationship
—often used with on agreed to take him on as a client
f
: to refrain from hitting at (a pitched ball)
take a strike
13a(1)
: to let in : admit
the boat was taking water fast
(2)
: accommodate
the suitcase wouldn't take another thing
b
: to be affected injuriously by (something, such as a disease) : contract
take cold
also
: to be seized by
take a fit take fright
c
: to absorb or become impregnated with (something, such as dye)
also
: to be effectively treated by
a surface that takes a fine polish
14a
: apprehend, understand
how should I take your remark
d
: feel, experience
take pleasure take an instant dislike to someone take offense
15a
: to lead, carry, or cause to go along to another place
this bus will take you into town took an umbrella with her
b
: to cause to move to a specified state, condition, or sphere of activity
took the company public took his team to the finals
c
: to invite and accompany (someone)
She took me to the movies. He took her on a date. They took the kids to the movies.
— often + out He took her out to dinner.
d
: to stop prescribing a specified regimen to
—used with off took him off the medication
16a
: remove
take eggs from a nest
b(1)
: to put an end to (life)
(2)
: to remove by death
was taken in his prime
c
: subtract
take two from four
d
: exact
the weather took its toll
17a
: to undertake and make, do, or perform
take a walk take aim take legal action take a test take a look
b
: to participate in
take a meeting
18a
: to deal with
take first things first
b
: to consider or view in a particular relation
taken together, the details were significant
especially
: to consider as an example
take style, for instance
c(1)
: to apply oneself to the study of
take music lessons take French
(2)
: to study for especially successfully
taking a degree in engineering took holy orders
19
: to obtain money from especially fraudulently
took me for all I had
20
: to pass or attempt to pass through, along, or over
took the curve too fast take the stairs two at a time
3
: to establish a take especially by uniting or growing
90 percent of the grafts take
4a
: to betake oneself : set out : go
take after a purse snatcher
b
chiefly dialectal
—used as an intensifier or redundantly with a following verb took and swung at the ball
b
: to show the natural or intended effect
dry fuel takes readily
7
: detract
8
: to be seized or attacked in a specified way : become
took sick
— see also take a back seat, take a bath, take account of, take advantage of, take after, take a hike, take aim at, take apart, take a powder, take care, take care of, take charge, take effect, take exception, take five, take for, take for granted, take form, take heart, take hold, take in vain, take issue, take it on the chin, take kindly to, take no prisoners, take-no-prisoners, take notice, take one's time, take part, take place, take root, take shape, take ship, take the cake, take the count, take the floor, take the mickey (out of someone), take the plunge, take to, take to court, take to task, take to the cleaners, take turns
take
nounDefinition of take (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: a distinct or personal point of view, outlook, or assessment
was asked for her take on recent developments
also
: a distinct treatment or variation
a new take on an old style
2
: an act or the action of taking: such as
a(1)
: the uninterrupted photographing or televising of a scene
(2)
: the making of a sound recording
b
: the action of killing, capturing, or catching something (such as game or fish)
3
: something that is taken:
c(1)
: a scene filmed or televised at one time without stopping the camera
(2)
: a sound recording made during a single recording period
especially
: a trial recording
e
: a section or installment done as a unit or at one time
4a
: a local or systemic reaction indicative of successful vaccination (as against smallpox)
b
: a successful union (as of a graft)
5
: a visible response or reaction (as to something unexpected)
a delayed take
on the take
: illegally paid for favors
Learn More About take
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Last Updated
5 Aug 2022
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Cite this Entry
“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take. Accessed 16 Aug. 2022.
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More Definitions for take
take
verb
\ ˈtāk
\
\
took\
ˈtu̇k
\; taken\
ˈtā-kən
\; taking
Kids Definition of take
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to get hold of : grasp
You should take it by the handle. He took my hand.
2
: to carry or go with from one place to another
I'll take you home. This bus will take us there.
3
: to get control of : capture
took the fort
4
: to receive into the body
Don't forget to take your medicine.
5
: to get possession or use of
She took the book from the table. We will take a cottage by the shore for the summer.
6
: to begin to perform the responsibilities of : assume
She took charge. A new mayor took office.
7
: to do the action of
Let's take a walk.
8
: to use as a way of going from one place to another
I take the bus. We'll take the highway.
9
: require sense 1
It will take a long time. I take a size ten.
10
: to put up with : endure
I don't have to take that from you.
11
: to come upon
We took them by surprise.
12
: to adopt or accept
He took my side in the argument. She took all the credit.
13
: win entry 1 sense 2
My essay took second prize.
14
: choose sense 1, select
I'll take the red one.
15
: to sit in or on
Please take a seat.
16
: to find out by testing or examining
Let me take your temperature.
17
: to save in some permanent form
He took down every word of the speech. Will you take a picture?
18
: believe sense 2
I took it to be the truth. You can take my word for it.
19
: to be guided by : follow
He refused to take my advice.
20
: to become affected suddenly
She took sick just before the holiday.
21
: understand sense 4, interpret
I took it to mean something different.
22
: to react in a certain way
They take pleasure in music. Don't take offense.
23
: subtract
Take 2 from 4.
24
: consider sense 1
For example, take this sentence …— Andrew Clements, Frindle
25
: to have effect : be successful
The vaccination took.
26
: to be formed or used with
Prepositions take objects.
take advantage of
take after
take back
take care
take care of
take charge
take effect
take for granted
take hold
take in
take off
take on
take over
take part
take place
take up
1
: to make good use of
Take advantage of your free time.
2
: to treat (someone) unfairly
: resemble
Many children take after their parents.
: to try to cancel (as something said)
I take it back. I really don't hate you.
: to be careful
: to do what is needed : look after
: to assume care or control
1
: to go into existence or operation
The new rate takes effect Monday.
2
: to have an intended or expected result
Wait for the medicine to take effect.
: to assume as true, real, or expected
: to become attached or established
The tree I planted never took hold.
1
: to make smaller
She took the dress in.
2
: to receive as a guest
We took in travelers for the night.
3
: to allow to join
The club is not taking in new members.
4
: to receive and do at home for pay
She takes in washing.
5
: to have within its limits
The tour takes in both museums.
6
: to go to
Let's take in a movie.
7
: to get the meaning of
He took in the situation at a glance.
8
: cheat entry 1 sense 1
They were taken in by an old trick.
1
: to take away (a covering) : remove
You can take your shoes off.
2
: deduct
I'm willing to take off ten percent.
3
: to leave a surface in beginning a flight or leap
The plane is taking off now.
1
: to begin (a task) or struggle against (an opponent)
She took on the champion.
2
: to gain or show as or as if a part of oneself
The city took on a carnival mood.
3
: employ entry 1 sense 1
The business will take on more workers.
4
: to make an unusual show of grief or anger
Don't take on so.
: to get control of
Military leaders took over the government.
: to do or join in something together with others
Come take part in the fun.
: to come about or occur : happen
The meeting took place yesterday.
1
: to get together from many sources
We'll take up a collection for the gift.
2
: to start something for the first time or after a pause
I'd like to take up painting. Our class took up the lesson where we left off.
3
: to change by making tighter or shorter
She needs to take up the dress in the back.
take
nounKids Definition of take (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: the number or quantity of animals or fish killed, captured, or caught
2
: money received
His take from the sale was half the price.
take
intransitive verb
\ ˈtāk
\
\
took\
ˈtu̇k
\; taken\
ˈtā-kən
\; taking
\; taken\
ˈtā-kən
\; taking
Medical Definition of take
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to establish a take especially by uniting or growing
with an experienced surgeon some 90 percent of the grafts take — Lancet
2
of a vaccine or vaccination
: to produce a take
take
nounMedical Definition of take (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: a local or systemic reaction indicative of successful vaccination
2
: a successful union (as of a graft)
take
verb
took; taken; taking
Legal Definition of take
1a
: to obtain control, custody, or possession of often by assertive or intentional means
b
: to seize or interfere with the use of (property) by governmental authority
specifically
: to acquire title to for public use by eminent domain
2a
: to undertake the duties of
take office
b
: to bind oneself by
take an oath
3
: to get in writing
4a
: to accept the tender of (as a promise)
b
: to accept (as an oath, affidavit, or deposition) in a legal capacity (as by administering or witnessing)
5a
: to set in motion
take an appeal
b
: to claim or exercise as an option or right
take depreciation
6
: to put or set forth
take an exception
: to obtain ownership or possession of property
take free of a security interest
specifically
: to receive the title to an estate
take as an heir
take the Fifth
: to exercise the privilege against self-incrimination based on the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
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Time Traveler for take
The first known use of take was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century