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frame

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To frame means to put together, form, shape or compose.

(verb)

An example of to frame is giving feedback with a compliment, a criticism and suggestions for change.

The definition of a frame is the general structure that gives a person or thing its shape, or how something is put together.

(noun)

An example of a frame is the bone structure of the human skeleton.
An example of a frame is a house made of wood and stone.

A frame is defined as the outside border that holds something in place on all sides.

(noun)

An example of frame is the enclosed wood structure that holds a picture hanging on a wall.

See frame in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb framed, framing

to shape, fashion, or form, usually according to a pattern; design: to frame a constitution
to put together the parts of; construct
to put into words; compose; devise; contrive; conceive: to frame an excuse
to utter: his lips framed the words
to adapt for a particular use; adjust; fit: a law framed to equalize the tax burden
to enclose in a border; provide a border for (a mirror, picture, etc.)
to photograph or film (objects or activity) within the limits of the frame ()
☆ Informal to falsify evidence, testimony, etc. beforehand in order to make (an innocent person) appear guilty
Obsolete to bring about; cause

Origin: ME framen < frame, a structure, frame, prob. < ON frami, profit, benefit, akin to frama, to further < fram, forward (akin to OE fram, from); some senses < OE framian, to be helpful: see furnish

intransitive verb

Obsolete to proceed or succeed; go

noun

1. Archaic anything made of parts fitted together according to a design
2. body structure in general; build
basic or skeletal structure around which a thing is built and that gives the thing its shape; framework, as of a house
1. the skeletal framework supporting the chassis of some automotive vehicles
2. cold frame
3. the case or border into which a window, door, etc. is set and which serves as a structural support
4. a border, often ornamental, surrounding a picture, etc.; also, the picture or other matter inside such a border
5. the framing of a pair of eyeglasses; rims
any of various machines built on or in a framework
the way that anything is constructed or put together; organization; form
a set of circumstances that serve as background to an event
condition; state: a bad frame of mind
an established order or system
☆ Baseball, Informal an inning
☆ Informal the act of framing an innocent person
Bowling, etc. any of the ten divisions of a game, in each of which the pins are set up anew
Linguis. a syntactic construction with a blank left in it for testing which words will occur there
☆ Film
1. each of the small exposures composing a strip of film
2. the rectangular image on a film screen, or the particular objects or activity focused on by the camera
Pool
1. rack
2. the period of play required to pocket all the balls
Shipbuilding any of the transverse strengthening members of a ship's hull that extend from the gunwale to the keel
TV a single scanning of the field of vision by the electron beam

Origin: ME: see framethe

adjective

☆ having a wooden framework, usually covered with boards: a frame house

See frame in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb framed framed, fram·ing, frames

verb, transitive

To build by putting together the structural parts of; construct: frame a house.
To conceive or design: framed an alternate proposal.
To arrange or adjust for a purpose: The question was framed to draw only one answer.
a. To put into words; formulate: frame a reply.
b. To form (words) silently with the lips.
To enclose in or as if in a frame: frame a painting.
Informal
a. To make up evidence or contrive events so as to incriminate (a person) falsely.
b. To prearrange (a contest) so as to ensure a desired fraudulent outcome; fix: frame a prizefight.

verb, intransitive

Archaic To go; proceed.
Obsolete To manage; contrive.

noun

Something composed of parts fitted and joined together.
A structure that gives shape or support: the frame of a house.
a. An open structure or rim for encasing, holding, or bordering: a window frame; the frame of a mirror.
b. A closed, often rectangular border of drawn or printed lines.
A pair of eyeglasses, excluding the lenses. Often used in the plural: had new lenses fitted into an old pair of frames.
The structure of a human or animal body; physique: a worker's sturdy frame.
A cold frame.
A general structure or system: the frame of government.
A general state or condition: The news put me into a better frame of mind.
A frame of reference.
Sports & Games
a. A round or period of play in some games, such as bowling and billiards.
b. Baseball An inning.
A single picture on a roll of movie film or videotape.
The total area of a complete picture in television broadcasting.
An individual drawing within a comic strip.
Computer Science
a. A rectangular segment within a browser's window that can be scrolled independently of other such segments.
b. A single step in a sequence of programmed instructions.
Informal A frame-up.
Obsolete Shape; form.