uptake

noun
up·​take | \ ˈəp-ˌtāk How to pronounce uptake (audio) \

Definition of uptake

1 : understanding, comprehension quick on the uptake
2 : a flue leading upward
3 : an act or instance of absorbing and incorporating especially into a living organism, tissue, or cell oxygen uptake

Examples of uptake in a Sentence

oxygen uptake by the body the plant's uptake of water a rapid uptake of liquid She's pretty quick on the uptake.
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Recent Examples on the Web

The community college association’s Sadusky said the low uptake of the scholarship program does not diminish its importance or potential. Washington Post, "Maryland’s free community college initiative gets off to a slow start," 1 Sep. 2019 Depending on the type of tracers used, PET can image the uptake of glucose or cell growth in tissues, among other phenomena. Julie Grisham, Scientific American, "Faster, clearer PET images offer new views on disease," 9 July 2019 An accessible model of financing is an important prerequisite for the successful uptake of rooftop solar on a large scale. Tirthankar Mandal, Quartz India, "Cheaper loans could take solar power to more rooftops in India," 21 July 2019 The environmental group on Friday was named one of 10 winners of the 2019 Keeling Curve Prize, which recognizes initiatives across the globe that aim to increase carbon uptake or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Imperial Beach’s Wildcoast recognized for efforts to preserve coastal ecosystems," 28 June 2019 But uptake has been much slower in Alameda County, along with many other parts of the country, Redfield noted. Erin Allday, SFChronicle.com, "With federal help, Alameda County and SF hope to cut rate of HIV infections," 20 July 2019 Cutting low decreases the plant’s rooting, which inhibits water and nutrient uptake. Jessie Kissinger, Popular Mechanics, "Give Your Yard Back to Nature," 1 July 2019 However, XR India’s uptake has not been as exponential or groundbreaking as in the West. Manavi Kapur, Quartz India, "Global movement Extinction Rebellion is spawning India’s future climate change warriors," 24 July 2019 If users began depositing paychecks into Libra, that could easily become $2 trillion or more depending on the currency’s uptake. Matthew De Silva, Quartz, "If Facebook can ban users, will its Libra cryptocurrency do the same?," 18 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uptake.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of uptake

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for uptake

Scots uptake to understand

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More Definitions for uptake

uptake

noun

English Language Learners Definition of uptake

technical : the process by which something is taken in by the body, a plant, etc.
informal : the ability to learn new things, to understand what is happening or being said, etc.

uptake

noun
up·​take | \ ˈəp-ˌtāk How to pronounce uptake (audio) \

Medical Definition of uptake

: an act or instance of absorbing and incorporating something especially into a living organism, tissue, or cell oxygen uptake thyroid function should be determined by radioiodine uptake studiesJournal of the American Medical Association