take notice

phrase

: to become aware of or give attention to something or someone : to observe or treat something or someone with special attention
… one Saturday in October 1984, San Francisco coach Bill Walsh flipped on the TV to watch college football, saw Rice on the highlights and took notice.—Peter King
—often used with of
It was a while before anyone took notice of the change.
… suggests that the academy is at last beginning to sit up and take notice of how the world really works.—Terry Teachout
They took no notice of him. [=they ignored him]

Examples of take notice 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.
Georgia’s Kirby Smart took notice of Columbia’s sophomore Swiss Army knife, a versatile prospect able to line up just about anywhere. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 When drivers took notice, the traffic jam began and police intervened. — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 When the McDonald County Press newspaper ran the men’s photos side-by-side in a voter’s guide last week, social media took notice of their bushy sideburns and naked chins. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026 When the boyish, affable congressman became the first Latino lawmaker appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in his second term, national outlets took notice. — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take notice

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take notice was in 1586

Rhymes for take notice

See All Rhymes for take notice

Browse Nearby Words

take note
take notice
taken short
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Take notice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20notice. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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