attain

1 of 2

verb

at·​tain ə-ˈtān 

attained; attaining; attains

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

ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

attainable

ə-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective

attainability

2 of 2

noun

at·​tain·​abil·​i·​ty ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being attainable

Synonyms of attain

Verb

• achieve
• win
• gain

Examples of attain in a Sentence

Verb

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 on the Web

Verb

Interest in attaining at least a bare-bones understanding in computer science — and particularly AI-enhanced coding — has exploded across different majors. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

But while the landmark ruling reopens the path to citizenship for thousands worldwide, attaining it may be a different story. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 29 July 2026

In Buddhism, bodhicitta is, essentially, a desire to attain enlightenment in order to free all beings from suffering. — Goth Shakira, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

The Pentagon’s campaign of air strikes on Iranian targets, which is expanding again after weeks of a shaky cease-fire, has not put an end to Iran’s nuclear stockpiles or know-how, and has probably hardened its leaders’ resolve to attain a bomb. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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 tangent entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for attain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign
• cetane

Kids Definition

attain

verb

at·​tain ə-ˈtān 

1

: to reach as a goal : accomplish, achieve

2

: to come to possess : obtain

3

: to arrive at : reach

attain the top of the mountain

—often used with to

attainability

ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

attainable

-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective