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.
The leases take time, as a solar or carbon lease developer typically has a 3- to 5-year option period, leasing the land with no impact to timber operations. — Sebastien Chasse, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 The lack of innovation in the athletic footwear sector will take time to work through, and that means challenges are ahead this holiday season for some sneaker brands. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Still, people are still going to take time off—just maybe not to the effect of a 10-figure hit to the economy. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 Still, producers expect any changes introduced by Rice to take time to filter through, particularly in scripted television, where projects are commissioned years in advance. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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