To absorb or comprehend.
I was so sleepy that I hardly took in any of the lecture.
To allow a person or an animal to live in one's home.
take in a stray cat
To receive (goods) into one's home for the purpose of processing for a fee.
In hard times, some women would take in washing and others dressmaking repairs.
To shorten (a garment) or make it smaller.
Try taking the skirt in a little around the waist.
To attend a showing of.
take in a movie
To deceive; to hoodwink.
To tighten (a belaying rope). (Also take up.)
To subscribe to home delivery of.