takeover

1 of 2

noun

take·​over ˈtāk-ˌō-vər How to pronounce takeover (audio)
: the action or an act of taking over

take over

2 of 2

verb

took over; taken over; taking over; takes over

transitive verb

: to assume control or possession of or responsibility for
military leaders took over the government

intransitive verb

1
: to assume control or possession
2
: to become dominant

Examples of takeover in a Sentence

Noun The government experienced a military takeover in 2002. the new government's high-handed takeover of private industries Verb I'll take over for her until she gets back from her morning break. took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
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.
Noun
Experts say a forcible takeover would likely knock Taiwan's chipmakers offline, temporarily if not longer term. John Ruwitch, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025 Marathe has long been known as the figurehead at the top of the club since the takeover in 2023, while Farke’s control of the football side is self-evident. Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Ten different players caught passes from Beck, including Malachi Toney with six for 80 yards and Daniels with five for 73 yards (including the two touchdowns) before Emory Williams took over starting on Miami’s second drive of the third quarter. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025 LaFleur, who took over as Green Bay’s coach in 2019, owned the division early in his tenure. Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for takeover

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1618, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of takeover was in 1618

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Takeover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takeover. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

take over

verb
(ˈ)tā-ˈkō-vər
: to get control or possession of or responsibility for something
takeover
ˈtā-ˌkō-vər
noun

Legal Definition

takeover

noun
take·​over ˈtāk-ˌō-vər How to pronounce takeover (audio)
: the acquisition of control or possession (as of a corporation)
a hostile takeover

More from Merriam-Webster on takeover

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