Definition of ascertain
transitive verb
1 : to find out or learn with certainty ascertain the truth trying to ascertain the cause of the fire information that can be easily ascertained on the Internet
2 archaic : to make certain, exact, or precise
Explore Merriam-Webster
Examples of ascertain in a sentence
We look at digital media—images, audio and video—and we try to ascertain whether or not they've been manipulated. We use mathematical and computational techniques to detect alterations in them. —Claudia Dreifus, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2007
Currently, an official trying to ascertain road damage in the aftermath of an earthquake might have to keep one eye on the TV news while listening to both radio traffic reports and the police scanner. Since most of these data are available in digital form, the software could take them all in, process them and present a report outlining the best evacuation routes. —Kevin Hogan, Technology Review, April 2002
With an equation linking the money wage to prices, the degree of inflation could be ascertained. —Sidney Weintraub, Modern Economic Thought, (1977) 1993
Origin and Etymology of ascertain
Middle English acertainen to inform, give assurance to, from Anglo-French acerteiner, from a- (from Latin ad-) + certein, certain certain
First Known Use: 15th century
Synonym Discussion of ascertain
ASCERTAIN Defined for Kids
ascertain
playDefinition of ascertain for Students
ascertained
;ascertaining
: to find out with certainty Police tried to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Learn More about ascertain
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ascertain Spanish Central: Translation of ascertain Nglish: Translation of ascertain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ascertain for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up ascertain? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!