Princeton's WordNet

1. take-up(noun)

   any of various devices for reducing slack (as in a sewing machine) or taking up motion (as in a loom)

   "a take-up that winds photographic film on a spool"

2. take-up(verb)

   the action of taking up as by tightening or absorption or reeling in

3. take up(verb)

   pursue or resume

   "take up a matter for consideration"

4. take up, latch on, fasten on, hook on, seize on(verb)

   adopt

   "take up new ideas"

5. take up(verb)

   turn one's interest to

   "He took up herpetology at the age of fifty"

6. take up(verb)

   take up time or space

   "take up the slack"

7. start, take up(verb)

   begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job

   "Take up a position"; "start a new job"

8. adopt, borrow, take over, take up(verb)

   take up and practice as one's own

9. assume, take, strike, take up(verb)

   occupy or take on

   "He assumes the lotus position"; "She took her seat on the stage"; "We took our seats in the orchestra"; "She took up her position behind the tree"; "strike a pose"

10. sorb, take up(verb)

    take up a liquid or a gas either by adsorption or by absorption

11. scoop, scoop out, lift out, scoop up, take up(verb)

    take out or up with or as if with a scoop

    "scoop the sugar out of the container"

12. take in, take up(verb)

    accept

    "The cloth takes up the liquid"

13. absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck up, draw, take in, take up(verb)

    take in, also metaphorically

    "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words"

14. take in, sop up, suck in, take up(verb)

    take up as if with a sponge

15. resume, take up(verb)

    return to a previous location or condition

    "The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

1. take up(verb)ɪk

   to use or require a particular amount of space

   The software took up too much space on my machine.

2. take upɪk

   to start doing an activity regularly

   She's taken up jogging.

Wiktionary

1. take up(Noun)

   That which takes up or tightens; specifically, a device in a sewing machine for drawing up the slack thread as the needle rises, in completing a stitch.

2. take up(Verb)

   To pick up.

3. take up(Verb)

   To begin doing (an activity) on a regular basis.

4. take up(Verb)

   To address (an issue).

5. take up(Verb)

   To occupy; to consume (space or time).

6. take up(Verb)

   To shorten by hemming.

7. take up(Verb)

   To accept (a proposal, offer, request, etc.) from.

8. take up(Verb)

   to resume

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