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
The process starts after Thanksgiving, when the top players of a season begin to take shape, and most ballots are submitted well before the Super Bowl.
O’Toole has seen it all in 10 years around the NFL block.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Stars are born in clouds of dust and gas, and around them, planets slowly begin to take shape.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 July 2025
The project began to take shape roughly five years ago after the Texas Department of Transportation announced plans to lower I-35 through downtown between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Holly Street as part of a massive expansion of the highway.
—Ella McCarthy, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Though his role is still taking shape, Heredia is already using his platform to give back.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for take shape
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.
Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Stars are born in clouds of dust and gas, and around them, planets slowly begin to take shape.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 July 2025
The project began to take shape roughly five years ago after the Texas Department of Transportation announced plans to lower I-35 through downtown between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Holly Street as part of a massive expansion of the highway.
—Ella McCarthy, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Though his role is still taking shape, Heredia is already using his platform to give back.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 29 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share