attain

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verb at·tain \ə-ˈtān\

Definition of attain

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

play \-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

attainable

play \-ˈtā-nə-bəl\ adjective

See attain defined for English-language learners

See attain defined for kids

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 of attain from the Web

The closure may help biologists attain their escapement goal of 13,000-28,000 Deshka kings reaching their upriver spawning beds.

— mike campbell, Alaska Dispatch News, "Kiss Deshka king salmon season goodbye", 4 July 2017
In the end, the depth of feeling attained by the exceptionally sensitive Lee lingers, inspiring more spins through his songlike prose.

— lloyd sachs, chicagotribune.com, "Don Lee’s story of an alt-country musician yields remarkable depth of emotion", 3 July 2017
The standard-gauge railway line is Kenya’s biggest public investment since attaining independence in 1963 and was financed by loans from China Export-Import Bank.

— felix njini, Bloomberg.com, "Kenyan President Pledges Investment Plan in Hunt for Votes", 26 June 2017
Opposition citizenship spokesman Tony Burke tells reporters at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia Tuesday, June 20, 2017, that his Labor Party opposes government legislation that would raise the standards for attaining Australian citizenship.

— Washington Post, "Opposition opposes gov’t reforms to Australian citizen law", 20 June 2017
Ann Mullollen and Todd Wright reached the 20-year mark, Pam Wright and Deborah Holihan attained 25 years, and Catherine McNees celebrated 30 years.

— susan soldavin, Howard County Times, "Day of Clarksville Picnic also day of sales at white elephant [Clarksville]", 8 June 2017
N.O. DNA Degas has attained artistic immortality, and his time in New Orleans has given him a special regard among the city's residents.

— NOLA.com, "When Degas painted New Orleans", 7 June 2017
Halestorm may be just a couple more hits away from attaining the elite status of an arena headliner, but its sound is rooted in the hard rock of the ’70s and ’80s acts that also appeared Saturday.

— bill brownlee, kansascity.com, "New location enhances a Rockfest of emerging talents and faded stars", 4 June 2017
Meditation, however, doesn't mean sitting absolutely still for 14 hours and attaining enlightenment.

— anthony j. yeung, Esquire, "Meditation Is Exactly What Your Workout Routine Is Missing", 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'attain'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of attain

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 ²tangent

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

ATTAIN Defined for English Language Learners

attain

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verb

Definition of attain for English Language Learners

: to accomplish or achieve (something) : to succeed in getting or doing (something)
: to grow or increase to (a particular amount, size, etc.)

ATTAIN Defined for Kids

attain

play

verb at·tain \ə-ˈtān\

Definition of attain for Students

attained

;

attaining

1 : to accomplish or achieve attain a goal
2 : to come into possession of : obtain attain knowledge
3 : to reach or come to gradually : arrive at … surely no bug in all the Land of Oz had ever before attained so enormous a size. — L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz