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
Another tropical threat could take shape Another tropical threat is stirring in the Atlantic as development gets underway in the Gulf of Mexico.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 18 June 2024
Advertisement Okura’s father never got to see his vision fully take shape.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024
Coalitions take shape: Former candidate Ylenia Aguilar endorses Raquel Terán for Congress.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 3 June 2024
Hopes for a new panda loan took shape late last year after Chinese President Xi Jinping told San Francisco business leaders in November that California would get pandas in 2024 — and mentioned San Diego by name.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for take shape 
Mary Gilbert, CNN, 18 June 2024
Advertisement Okura’s father never got to see his vision fully take shape.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024
Coalitions take shape: Former candidate Ylenia Aguilar endorses Raquel Terán for Congress.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 3 June 2024
Hopes for a new panda loan took shape late last year after Chinese President Xi Jinping told San Francisco business leaders in November that California would get pandas in 2024 — and mentioned San Diego by name.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for take shape
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take shape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Take shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20shape. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
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