take effect

phrase

Synonyms of take effectnext
1
: to become operative
The new regulations will take effect next year.
2
: to begin producing an expected or intended effect or result
waiting for the drug to take effect

Examples of take effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That includes more than 1,400 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire took effect, the ministry says. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 This morning officials at this year’s conference held the vote to end the leap second and make UTC continuous, with the change taking effect on May 20 (World Metrology Day), 2027. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026 Instead, the limit will now be $21,000 and won’t take effect until July 1 — as long as the next governor and legislators don’t decide to change it. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Under the agency’s timeline, the regulations cannot take effect before July 1, 2028. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take effect

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of take effect was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Take effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20effect. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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