establish

verb

es·​tab·​lish i-ˈsta-blish How to pronounce establish (audio)
established; establishing; establishes

transitive verb

1
: to institute (something, such as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
2
obsolete : settle sense 7
3
a
: to make firm or stable
b
: to introduce and cause to grow and multiply
establish grass on pasturelands
4
a
: to bring into existence : found
established a republic
b
: bring about, effect
established friendly relations
5
a
: to put on a firm basis : set up
establish his son in business
b
: to put into a favorable position
c
: to gain full recognition or acceptance of
the role established her as a star
6
: to make (a church) a national or state institution
7
: to put beyond doubt : prove
established my innocence
establishable adjective
establisher noun

Examples of establish in a Sentence

The film established her as a star. She established a reputation as a hard worker. The word is now established as part of the English language. The company has established itself as a leader in the industry. As a young doctor he worked hard to establish himself in the community. They want to establish their children in the family business. She established a system of tracking expenses more accurately. The two countries established a mutual trade agreement. establishing a link between diet and cancer Investigators are trying to establish if anyone knew about these problems before the accident.
Recent Examples on the Web Brown is smooth, wise, and can quickly establish a genuine connection with the hero. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 Every descendant of slaves can establish ancestry with DNA testing and be eligible for monetary reparation. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Helping to establish that dynamic is Snoh Aalegra, who adds guest vocals to the song. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2024 Here are three thoughts on the move to tag Burns: This move was seemingly inevitable The Panthers couldn’t allow Burns to walk for nothing, especially as new GM Dan Morgan looks to establish a winning culture in Carolina. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 Alibaba’s backing brings the startup out of relative secrecy and helps establish its credentials alongside more public outfits such as Zhipu and Baichuan. Jane Zhang, Fortune Asia, 5 Mar. 2024 Prepare middle managers to handle tough conversations While corporate leaders need to establish policies for employees to follow, middle managers should know how to uphold them. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 For Black women already established within country music, her success revives conversations surrounding issues of acceptance within the country music landscape. Marcus K. Dowling, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 The move comes with the hope of supplementing the number of vultures in the wild and establishing new populations, while also reducing the risk of VulPro’s birds falling victim to disease in the center’s high-density environment. Gertrude Kitongo, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'establish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English establissen, from Anglo-French establiss-, stem of establir, from Latin stabilire, from stabilis stable

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of establish was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near establish

Cite this Entry

“Establish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/establish. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

establish

verb
es·​tab·​lish is-ˈtab-lish How to pronounce establish (audio)
1
: to make a permanent part of a nation's laws
establish a constitution
2
: to make firm or stable
establish a statue on its base
3
a
: to bring into existence : found
establish a republic
establish a school
b
: to cause to exist
establish good relations
establish radio contact
4
: to set on a firm basis
establish their children in business
5
: to gain full recognition or acceptance of
establish a claim
a film that established her as a star
established his innocence
6
: prove
7
: find out sense 1
establish the cause of the fire
establisher noun

Legal Definition

establish

transitive verb
es·​tab·​lish
1
: to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
we the people of the United States…do ordain and establish this ConstitutionU.S. Constitution preamble
2
: to make firm or stable
3
: to bring into existence : found
Congress shall have power…to establish post offices and post roadsU.S. Constitution art. I
specifically : to found (a national bank) pursuant to a charter
4
: to make (a church) a national or state institution see also establishment, establishment clause
5
: to put beyond doubt : prove
6
: to place in a position of being accepted or followed
a rule established by case law

More from Merriam-Webster on establish

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