frame

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body : physique, figure
b
: something composed of parts fitted together and united
2
a
: the underlying constructional system or structure that gives shape or strength (as to a building)
b
: a frame dwelling
3
a
: an open case or structure made for admitting, enclosing, or supporting something
a window frame
b(1)
frames plural : that part of a pair of glasses other than the lenses
(2)
: a part of a pair of glasses that holds one of the lenses
c
: a structural unit in an automobile chassis supported on the axles and supporting the rest of the chassis and the body
d
: a machine built upon or within a framework
a spinning frame
4
a
: an enclosing border
b
: the matter or area enclosed in such a border: such as
(1)
: an individual drawing in a comic strip usually enclosed by a bordering line
(2)
: one picture of the series on a length of film
(3)
: one of the squares in which scores for each round are recorded (as in bowling)
also : a round in bowling
(4)
: a complete image for display (as on a television set)
c
: an inning in baseball
e
: an event that forms the background for the action of a novel or play
5
6
obsolete : the act or manner of framing

Illustration of frame

Illustration of frame
  • frame 2a

frame

2 of 3

verb

framed; framing

transitive verb

1
: to enclose in a frame
frame a picture
also : to enclose as if in a frame
a face framed in a wealth of auburn hair
2
a
: to give expression to : formulate
frame a rule that brings order into our perceptionsVirginia Woolf
b
: to draw up (something, such as a document)
frame a written constitution
c
: plan, contrive
framed a new method of achieving their purpose
d
: shape, construct
frame a figure out of clay
3
a
: to contrive the evidence against (an innocent person) so that a verdict of guilty is assured
He claims that he was framed for the murder.
b
: to devise (something, such as a criminal charge) falsely
frame a case against a neighbor to get rid of him
c
: fix sense 7b
The wrestling matches were framed.
4
: to construct by fitting and uniting the parts of the skeleton of (a structure)
frame a house
5
: to fit or adjust especially to something or for an end : arrange
framed the test to evaluate students' understanding of the material
6
obsolete : produce

intransitive verb

1
archaic : proceed, go
2
obsolete : manage
framable adjective
or frameable
framer noun

frame

3 of 3

adjective

: having a wood frame
frame houses

Examples of frame in a Sentence

Noun the frame of a house I need new frames for my glasses. Verb It was the first state to frame a written constitution. She framed her questions carefully. He took the time to frame a thoughtful reply. She claims that she was framed.
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.
Noun
Arapahoe kicker Lincoln Peterson drilled a pair of field goals and senior quarterback Mitchell Price threw two TD passes, the last a 25-yard strike to senior Tyson Watson that gave the Warriors (8-4) a 20-17 lead in the final frame. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024 In order to film his hunt, Mills has to operate a camera arm and then grab his bow and make a good shot with the deer in frame. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
Authorities framed the killings as the work of a jealous and enraged lover who became obsessed with Maria Tran while the two had an affair in the months leading up to the shooting. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 And, of course, both presidential campaigns have framed that race as a battle for the very soul of our democracy. Adam Tamburin, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
After the shutter button is pressed, Samsung uses advanced multi-frame processing to combine multiple images into a single picture and AI to automatically adjust the photo as necessary. Samantha Kelly, CNN, 5 Apr. 2023 To start with, the company’s Super Resolution feature kicks in at zoom levels of 25x and higher, and uses multi-frame processing to combine over 10 images to reduce noise and enhance clarity. Jon Porter, The Verge, 15 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for frame 

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Noun, and Adjective

Middle English, to benefit, construct, from Old English framian to benefit, make progress; akin to Old Norse fram forward, Old English fram from

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Adjective

1780, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frame was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near frame

Cite this Entry

“Frame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frame. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

frame

1 of 3 verb
framed; framing
1
a
: plan entry 2 sense 1
framed a new strategy
b
: shape entry 1 sense 1, construct
frame a figure out of clay
c
: to give expression to
frame a reply
d
: to set down in writing
frame a constitution
2
: to make (an innocent person) appear guilty
3
: to enclose in a frame
frame a picture
framer noun

frame

2 of 3 noun
1
: the bodily structure of an animal and especially a human being : physique
2
: an arrangement of parts that gives form or support to something
the frame of a house
3
a
: an open case or structure for holding or enclosing something
a picture frame
a window frame
b
plural : the part of a pair of glasses that holds the lenses
4
: a turn in bowling
5
: an enclosing border: as
a
: one of the drawings in a comic strip
b
: one picture of the series on a length of film or in a television transmission
6
: a particular state or mood
in a good frame of mind

frame

3 of 3 adjective
: having a wood frame
frame houses

Medical Definition

frame

noun
1
: the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body : physique, figure
2
a
: a part of a pair of glasses that holds one of the lenses
b
frames plural : that part of a pair of glasses other than the lenses

Legal Definition

frame

transitive verb
framed; framing
1
: to formulate the contents of and draw up (as a document)
in the two hundred years since our Constitution was framedW. J. Brennan, Jr.
2
: to contrive the evidence against (as an innocent person) so that a verdict of guilty is assured

More from Merriam-Webster on frame

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!