1. To be fooled, swindled, cheated, or beguiled (by someone or something). It galls me how many people are taken in by companies' claims that "the customer matters most." You spent $1,000 on some cure-all pill you bought off the Internet? How could you be taken in by that scam?

2. To be adopted, looked after, or given foster care (by someone or something), often in an unofficial or informal manner. Nearly 200 abused animals are taken in at this shelter alone each year. My younger brother and I were taken in by our aunt and uncle after our parents were arrested.