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
Paul GrayThe 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
M. Mitchell Waldrop… the first half of the century, before the modern medical system took shape.—Geoffrey Cowley
Geoffrey CowleyExamples of take shape in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Project pushes limits of underground construction Deep beneath the desert, the Beishan laboratory is taking shape through an unusually complex underground design.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2025
John flies a drone over the neighborhood taking shape around it, which will include a grocery store, a spa and a gym.
—Addie Costello, jsonline.com, 25 Dec. 2025
Already a plan was taking shape in my mind.
—Patrick F. McManus, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2025
As state cannabis regulations have taken shape in recent years, Native nations have found themselves with a significant head start.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take shape
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Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2025
John flies a drone over the neighborhood taking shape around it, which will include a grocery store, a spa and a gym.
—Addie Costello, jsonline.com, 25 Dec. 2025
Already a plan was taking shape in my mind.
—Patrick F. McManus, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2025
As state cannabis regulations have taken shape in recent years, Native nations have found themselves with a significant head start.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take shape
Cite this Entry
“Take shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20shape. Accessed 30 Dec. 2025.
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