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>
5 of a timepiece : to run fast by the amount of <the clock gains a minute a day>intransitive verb 1 : 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 ability
3 of a timepiece : to run fast
4 : to get closer to something pursued —usually used with on or upon

— gain·er noun

— gain ground : to make progress