1. (

• phase ,
• stage

) any distinct time period in a sequence of events; "we are in a transitional stage in which many former ideas must be revised or rejected" ;

2. (

• phase ,
• form

) (physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system; matter that is identical in chemical composition and physical state and separated from other material by the phase boundary; "the reaction occurs in the liquid phase of the system" ;

3. (

• phase ,
• phase_angle

) a particular point in the time of a cycle; measured from some arbitrary zero and expressed as an angle ;

4. (

• phase

) (astronomy) the particular appearance of a body's state of illumination (especially one of the recurring shapes of the part of Earth's moon that is illuminated by the sun); "the full phase of the moon" ;

1. (

• phase

) arrange in phases or stages; "phase a withdrawal" ;

2. (

• phase

) adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition; "he phased the intake with the output of the machine" ;