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simple past tense of become.
to come, change, or grow to be (as specified):
He became tired.
to come into being.
to be attractive on; befit in appearance; look well on:
That gown becomes you.
to be suitable or necessary to the dignity, situation, or responsibility of:
conduct that becomes an officer.
become of, to happen to; be the fate of:
What will become of him?
Contemporary Examples

He became the first Japanese American to permanently settle in the U.S., and helped to pave the way for other Japanese immigrants.
The Grape King from Shogunate Japan Debra A. Klein April 2, 2014

At 28, Eleanor Catton became the youngest ever winner of the Booker Prize with her swirling, mesmerizing epic The Luminaries.
Hatchet Job of the Year 2014 Shortlist Announced The Telegraph January 18, 2014

The newspaper, when television first became a threat 15 or 20 years ago, went exactly the wrong direction, most of them.
Cronkite, at His Apex Allan Dodds Frank July 18, 2009

But this generosity ended when it became socially disruptive or politically subversive.
The Death of Jesus and the Rise of the Christian Persecution Myth Candida Moss March 30, 2013

His goal of coming across as humble subtracts from his ability to share just exactly how he became so great at such a young age.
The Story of the World’s Greatest Cricket Player William O’Connor December 23, 2014

Historical Examples

With no such friends or home, poor Hartley became a cast-away.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 Various

Finally his limbs straightened, and became perfectly rigid and motionless.
Philothea Lydia Maria Child

Samuel Pepys, as he rose in the world, became a frequent visitor there.
Shakespearean Playhouses Joseph Quincy Adams

He became conscious of sympathising generously with all men not thus equipped.
The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

They became more angry and infuriated, and refused to listen any longer.
The River of Darkness William Murray Graydon

verb
the past tense of become
verb (mainly intransitive) -comes, -coming, -came, -come
(copula) to come to be; develop or grow into: he became a monster
(foll by of; usually used in a question) to fall to or be the lot (of); happen (to): what became of him?
(transitive) (of clothes, etc) to enhance the appearance of (someone); suit: that dress becomes you
(transitive) to be appropriate; befit: it ill becomes you to complain

past tense of become (q.v.).
v.

Old English becuman “happen, come about,” also “meet with, arrive,” from Proto-Germanic *bikweman “become” (cf. Dutch bekomen, Old High German biqueman “obtain,” German bekommen, Gothic biquiman). A compound of be- and come; it drove out Old English weorðan. Meaning “to look well” is early 14c., from earlier sense of “to agree with, be fitting” (early 13c.).
In addition to the idiom beginning with become , also see idioms beginning with get