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
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.
At Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, that philosophy takes shape through Disease Centers built around the patient. — Baptist Health South Florida, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 The recent stock market advance has been impressive in its defiance of major concerns, as a bullish consensus takes shape on Wall Street. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026 The specifics of the odyssey took shape over the next two years. — Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 The more consequential development may now be taking shape inside the companies using that technology. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for take shape

See All Rhymes for take shape

Browse Nearby Words

take root
take shape
take ship
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Take shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20shape. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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