v. 1. To include. The country's boundaries were changed to fake in a piece of land beyond the river. The class of mammals takes in nearly all warm-blooded animals except the birds. 2. To go and see; visit. The students decided to take in a movie while they were in town. We planned to take in Niagara Palls and Yellowstone Park on our trip. 3. To make smaller. This waistband is too big; it must be taken in about an inch. They had to take in some sail to keep the ship from turning over in the storm. 4. To grasp with the mind; understand. He didn't take in what he read because his mind was on something else. He took in the situation at a glance. 5a. To deceive; cheat; fool. The teacher was taken in by the boy's innocent manner.
Compare: PUT OVER, ROPE IN. 5b. To accept without question; believe. The magician did many tricks, and the children took it all in. 6a. To receive; get. The senior class held a dance to make money and took in over a hundred dollars. 6b. Let come in; admit. The farmer took in the lost travelers for the night. When her husband died, Mrs. Smith took in boarders. 7. To see or hear with interest; pay close attention to, When Bill told about his adventures, the other boys took it all in.