Dictionary
take up
verb
Definition of TAKE UP
transitive verb2
a : to begin to occupy (land) b : to gather from a number of sources <took up a collection>
3
a : to accept or adopt for the purpose of assisting b : to accept or adopt as one's own <took up the life of a farmer> c : to absorb or incorporate into itself <plants taking up nutrients>
4
a : to enter upon (as a business, hobby, or subject of study) <take up skiing> <took up the trumpet> b : to proceed to consider or deal with <take up one problem at a time>
5
: to establish oneself in <took up residence in town>
6
: to occupy entirely or exclusively : fill up <the meeting was taken up with old business>
7
: to make tighter or shorter <take up the slack>
8
: to respond favorably to (as a person offering a bet, challenge, or proposal) <took me up on it>
9
: to begin again or take over from another <we must take the good work up again>
intransitive verb
1
: to make a beginning where another has left off
2
: to become shortened : draw together : shrink
— take up the cudgels
: to engage vigorously in a defense or dispute
— take up with
1
: to become interested or absorbed in
2
: to begin to associate or consort with
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First Known Use of TAKE UP
14th century
Related to TAKE UP
Medical Dictionary
take up
transitive verb
Medical Definition of TAKE UP
: to absorb or incorporate into itself <the rate at which the cells took up glucose>
—take–up noun
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