attain

verb

at·​tain ə-ˈtān 

attained; attaining; attains

transitive verb

1

: to reach as an end : gain, achieve

attain a goal

2

: to come into possession of : obtain

he attained preferment over his fellows

3

: to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement

They attained the top of the hill.

attain a ripe old age

intransitive verb

: to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort

—usually used with to

will probably attain to a height of six feet

attainability

ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

attainable

ə-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of attain

• achieve
• win
• gain

Examples of attain in a Sentence

a quest to attain enlightenment

She refused to let the injury keep her from attaining her goal of being in the Olympics.

This kind of tree can attain a height of 20 feet within just a few years.

The car can attain a top speed of 200 mph.

Recent Examples on the Web

The next highest ranking of commendable, which is a typical or average performance, was attained by about 30% of state schools. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

Escapes interceptor, greater range ​During the initial testing in May 2019, the missile had a range of 150-260 miles (240-420 kilometers), attaining a maximum height on the ballistic trajectory of 30-37 miles (50-60 km). — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Our characters have an ordinary life, which, given the period and what’s happening in the film, is hard to attain. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026

Jains observe Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira, the last of their great teachers, attained nirvana, or liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. — ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English atteynen, from Anglo-French ateign-, stem of ateindre to reach, accomplish, convict, from Vulgar Latin *attangere, alteration of Latin attingere, from ad- + tangere to touch — more at tangent entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for attain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign
• cetane

Kids Definition

attain

verb

at·​tain ə-ˈtān 

1

: to reach as a goal : accomplish, achieve

2

: to come to possess : obtain

3

: to arrive at : reach

attain the top of the mountain

—often used with to

attainability

ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

attainable

-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective