become

verb

be·​come bi-ˈkəm How to pronounce become (audio)
bē-
became bi-ˈkām How to pronounce become (audio)
bē-
 ; become; becoming
Synonyms of becomenext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to come into existence
b
: to come to be
become sick
They both became teachers.
2
: to undergo change or development
The pain was becoming more intense.

transitive verb

: to be suitable to
seriousness becoming the occasion
especially : to be becoming to
her clothes become her
see also:
become of

Synonyms of become

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Examples of become in a Sentence

Although I've known him for years, we didn't become close friends until recently. She won the election, becoming the first woman to be President of the nation. The book has become quite popular. We became interested in the property last year. The crackers had become stale. It eventually became clear that he had lied. This kind of behavior hardly becomes a person of your age and position.
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.
The film became a symbol of insecurities and anxieties about Chicago’s image, which persist to this day. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 The Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force became aware of the calls in August 2026. — Cbs Philadelphia, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 The agency has become controversial over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics that precipitated a government shutdown earlier this year. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026 The president's White House renovation has also become a campaign-trail foil. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for become

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to come to, become, from Old English becuman, from be- + cuman to come

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of become was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing become

Rhymes for become

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Browse Nearby Words

becloud
become
becomed
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Cite this Entry

“Become.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/become. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

become

verb
be·​come bi-ˈkəm How to pronounce become (audio)
became -ˈkām How to pronounce become (audio) ; become; becoming
1
: to come or grow to be
a tadpole becomes a frog
the days become shorter as summer ends
2
: to look well on : suit
her suit becomes her
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