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 software and technology required for the SDV to become a reality is taking shape faster than the organizational capability required to operate one is already in place. — Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

The new film started taking shape in 2025, when Pascal and Heyman came aboard as producers. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026

That left the senator who had helped put college athlete rights on the Congressional agenda without a formal perch in the panels where any comprehensive legislation would take shape. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2026

As the nor’easter takes shape off the Mid-Atlantic coast on Wednesday or Thursday, air will be squeezed between the fledgling storm and that high pressure farther north, increasing wind speeds along the East Coast. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 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