take shape

idiomatic 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
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.
So far, that force has yet to take shape. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025 The trend took shape during the spring 2025 shows, pictured at Dries Van Noten, Chloé, and Ferragamo. Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2025 In small towns and farm communities across Illinois, a quiet rebellion is taking shape. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025 But thanks to a rash of injuries, Kingsbury never got his full slate of toys, and Peters’ vision has yet to take shape. Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take shape

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take shape was in 1560

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!