a distinct period or stage in a series of events or a process of change or development

the final phases of the war

the draw for the qualifying phase of the tournament was held over the weekend

phase two of the development

each of the aspects of the moon or a planet, according to the amount of its illumination, especially the new moon, the first quarter, the full moon, and the last quarter

a genetic or seasonal variety of an animal's coloration

the invertebrate residents of the tundra pass the winter in dormant phase

a distinct and homogeneous form of matter (i.e. a particular solid, liquid, or gas) separated by its surface from other forms

solid carbon dioxide passes directly into the gas phase without becoming a liquid

the relationship in time between the successive states or cycles of an oscillating or repeating system (such as an alternating electric current or a light or sound wave) and either a fixed reference point or the states or cycles of another system with which it may or may not be in synchrony

there are two output channels, one fixed in phase and the other variable in phase between 0 and 360 degrees

(in systemic grammar) the relationship between a catenative verb and the verb that follows it, as in she hoped to succeed and I like swimming

carry out (something) in gradual stages

the work is being phased over a number of years

adjust the phase of (something), especially so as to synchronize it with something else

about 70% of the reflections were phased by this method