verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˌteɪk baɪ ˈstɔːm/
US:/ˌteɪk baɪ ˈstɔːɹm/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australia:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: government, military, politics, war
Examples
The soldiers took the castle by storm.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To seize, overpower, or captivate in a sudden and forceful manner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To rapidly gain great popularity in (a place).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Compare English blitzkrieg.
Across languages
Translations
20 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Finnish:
valloittaa äkkirynnäköllä
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Finnish:
valloittaa rynnäköllä
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
French:
prendre d'assaut
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Galician:
conquistar
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
German:
im Sturm erobern
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Italian:
prendere d'assalto
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Latin:
expugnō
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Polish:
zdobywać szturmem
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Polish:
zdobyć szturmem
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Russian:
брать шту́рмом
(bratʹ štúrmom)
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Russian:
взять шту́рмом
(vzjatʹ štúrmom)
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Swedish:
ta med storm
— To capture by means of a sudden, overwhelming attack
Finnish:
valloittaa
— To rapidly gain popularity in a place
French:
prendre d'assaut
— To rapidly gain popularity in a place
Galician:
conquistar
— To rapidly gain popularity in a place
German:
im Sturm erobern
— To rapidly gain popularity in a place
Polish:
zawojowywać
— To rapidly gain popularity in a place
Polish:
zawojować
— To rapidly gain popularity in a place
Spanish:
arrasar
— To rapidly gain popularity in a place
Swedish:
ta med storm
— To rapidly gain popularity in a place