Main Entry:

²gain

Function:

verb

Date:

14th century

transitive verb

1 a: to acquire or get possession of usually by industry, merit, or craft <gain an advantage> <he stood to gain a fortune> b: to win in competition or conflict <the troops gained enemy territory> c (1): to arrive at : reach, attain <gained the river that night> (2): traverse, cover <gained 10 yards on the play> d: to get by a natural development or process <gain strength> e: to establish a specific relationship with <gain a friend>2 a: to make an increase of (a specified amount) <gained three percent in the past month> b: to increase in (a particular quality) <gain momentum>3: to win to one's side : persuade <gain adherents to a cause>4: to cause to be obtained or given : attract <gain attention>5of a timepiece : to run fast by the amount of <the clock gains a minute a day>intransitive verb1: to get advantage : profit <hoped to gain by the deal>2 a: increase <the day was gaining in warmth> b: to increase in weight c: to improve in health or ability3of a timepiece : to run fast4: to get closer to something pursued —usually used with on or upon

— gain·er noun

— gain ground

: to make progress