frame

/freɪm/

/freɪm/

Other forms: framed; framing; frames

A frame is a basic shape or structure, especially one that outlines or surrounds a door or window. If you slam your bedroom door hard enough, the whole frame might shake.

When frame is a noun, it is usually some kind of enclosure or outline that is also a physical support — like the frame around a window, a bed frame, or a picture frame. One frozen image, or still, from a movie is another kind of frame. As a verb, to frame means both to enclose something in a frame, the way you frame a painting, and to make it look like an innocent person is guilty of something.

Definitions of frame

1. noun

   the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape
   synonyms: skeletal frame, skeleton, underframe

   types:

   chassis

   the skeleton of a motor vehicle consisting of a steel frame supported on springs that holds the body and motor

   hoop

   a light curved skeleton to spread out a skirt

   farthingale

   a hoop worn beneath a skirt to extend it horizontally; worn by European women in the 16th and 17th centuries

   pannier

   set of small hoops used to add fullness over the hips

   type of:

   supporting structure

   a structure that serves to support something
2. noun

   a framework that supports and protects a picture or a mirror
   “the frame enhances but is not itself the subject of attention”

   “the frame was much more valuable than the miror it held”

   synonyms: framing

   type of:

   framework

   a structure supporting or containing something
3. noun

   the framework for a pair of eyeglasses
   types:

   chase

   a rectangular metal frame used in letterpress printing to hold together the pages or columns of composed type that are printed at one time

   type of:

   framework

   a structure supporting or containing something
4. verb

   enclose in or as if in a frame
   “frame a picture”

   synonyms: border, frame in

   type of:

   close in, enclose, inclose, shut in

   surround completely
5. verb

   enclose in a frame, as of a picture
   type of:

   confine, enclose, hold in

   close in; "darkness confined him"
6. verb

   construct by fitting or uniting parts together
   synonyms: frame up

   type of:

   build, construct, make

   make by combining materials and parts
7. noun

   a single one of a series of still transparent pictures forming a cinema, television or video film
   type of:

   exposure, photo, photograph, pic, picture

   a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material
8. noun

   a single drawing in a comic strip
   synonyms: panel

   type of:

   drawing

   an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
9. noun

   an application that divides the user's display into two or more windows that can be scrolled independently
   type of:

   application, application program, applications programme

   a program that gives a computer instructions that provide the user with tools to accomplish a task
10. noun

    the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal
    synonyms: skeletal system, skeleton, systema skeletale

    types:

    endoskeleton

    the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure (especially of vertebrates)

    exoskeleton

    the exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals (especially invertebrates) including bony or horny parts such as nails or scales or hoofs

    plastron

    (zoology) the part of a turtle's shell forming its underside

    type of:

    system

    a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts
11. noun

    alternate name for the body of a human being
    synonyms: anatomy, bod, build, chassis, figure, flesh, form, human body, material body, physical body, physique, shape, soma

    types:

    person

    a human body (usually including the clothing)

    juvenile body

    the body of a young person

    adult body

    the body of an adult human being

    male body

    the body of a male human being

    female body

    the body of a female human being

    child's body

    the body of a human child

    adult female body, woman's body

    the body of an adult woman

    adult male body, man's body

    the body of an adult man

    type of:

    body, organic structure, physical structure

    the entire structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
12. noun

    a system of assumptions and standards that sanction behavior and give it meaning
    synonyms: frame of reference

    types:

    vocabulary

    the system of techniques or symbols serving as a means of expression (as in arts or crafts)

    type of:

    system, system of rules

    a complex of methods or rules governing behavior
13. verb

    make up plans or basic details for
    “frame a policy”

    synonyms: compose, draw up

    type of:

    plan

    make plans for something
14. verb

    formulate in a particular style or language
    synonyms: cast, couch, put, redact

    type of:

    articulate, formulate, give voice, phrase, word

    put into words or an expression
15. noun

    one of the ten divisions into which bowling is divided
    type of:

    division, part, section

    one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole
16. noun

    (baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at bat
    synonyms: inning

    type of:

    division, part, section

    one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole
17. verb

    take or catch as if in a snare or trap
    “The innocent man was framed by the police”

    synonyms: ensnare, entrap, set up

    type of:

    cozen, deceive, delude, lead on

    be false to; be dishonest with