The term 'became effective' can be summarized as the process of something coming into effect or being legally binding. It is often used in the context of laws, regulations, and contracts, where it indicates that the document has been accepted and is now enforceable. This term can also be used to describe a change in status or situation, such as when a new policy or procedure is put into place. The crossword solution for this term is 'took', which implies that the action of becoming effective was done by someone or something.