take time

phrase

1
: to need or require time to happen or be done
You have to be patient. Things like this take time.
It may take some time for the medication to wear off.
The meeting won't take too much time.
This job is easy and will take no time at all.
2
or take the time : to use an amount of time in order to do something important
They never took the time to get to know her.
I took some time to think about it, and my answer is still "no."

Examples of take time 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.
Several films offer immediate responses to critical current events, while others take time to reflect, examining the social realities and challenges shaping people’s lives. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 Kim acknowledges that creating such a program would require legislative action and would take time. — Kenny Choi, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Changes in habits or treatment take time to show up in sperm measurements, so there’s often a reassessment after about three months. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 But such a system will take time and effort to work out, and because signature verification is working so well, there is no rush to implement a big change. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take time

Cite this Entry

“Take time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20time. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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