take part

take part — idiom

1. to join with other people in doing an activity or being involved in an event

1.idiomintransitiveB1
Definition

to join with other people in doing an activity or being involved in an event

Example

Daniel and his classmates will take part in the school science fair next month.

take part in + noun phrase (event)

Dahlia decided to take part in a charity run for the local hospital.

take part in + noun phrase (purpose clause)

Common collocations
  • take part in an activity
  • take part in a competition
  • take part in a discussion
  • take part in an event
  • actively take part
  • take part regularly
Synonyms
  • participate

    more formal; used in official or academic contexts

  • join in

    more informal; suggests joining an activity already happening

  • be involved

    broader meaning; does not always imply active doing

Antonyms
  • sit out

    to deliberately choose not to take part in an activity

  • opt out

    to formally or deliberately decide not to participate

Grammar Patterns

take part in + noun / gerund

Usage Note

Always used with 'in' when specifying the activity or event. The phrase is most common in contexts of group activities, competitions, performances, and community events.

Common Mistakes

❖ 'The competition will take part next week.' ✅ 'The competition will take place next week.' — 'take part' means to join in an activity; 'take place' means an event happens.

❖ 'She took part the meeting.' ✅ 'She took part in the meeting.' — 'in' is always needed before the object.

Etymology

First known use

1785

1785, in the meaning defined above