establish

verb

es·tab·lish | \ i-ˈsta-blish

established; establishing; establishes

Definition of establish

transitive verb

1 : to institute (something, such as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement

2 obsolete : settle sense 7

3a : to make firm or stable

b : to introduce and cause to grow and multiply establish grass on pasturelands

4a : to bring into existence : found established a republic

b : bring about, effect established friendly relations

5a : to put on a firm basis : set up establish his son in business

b : to put into a favorable position

c : to gain full recognition or acceptance of the role established her as a star

6 : to make (a church) a national or state institution

7 : to put beyond doubt : prove established my innocence

Other Words from establish Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about establish

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Other Words from establish

establishable \ i-ˈsta-bli-shə-bəl

\ adjective

establisher \ i-ˈsta-bli-shər

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for establish

Synonyms

demonstrate, prove, show, substantiate

Antonyms

disprove

Examples of establish in a Sentence

The film established her as a star. She established a reputation as a hard worker. The word is now established as part of the English language. The company has established itself as a leader in the industry. As a young doctor he worked hard to establish himself in the community. They want to establish their children in the family business. She established a system of tracking expenses more accurately. The two countries established a mutual trade agreement. establishing a link between diet and cancer Investigators are trying to establish if anyone knew about these problems before the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

The acting chief of the Federal Aviation Administration has told lawmakers there were no systemic problems with the qualifications of key agency staff who helped establish pilot-training mandates for Boeing Co.’s grounded 737 MAX jet. — Andy Pasztor, WSJ, "FAA Disputes Allegations of Staffers’ Lapses on 737 MAX Training," 5 Apr. 2019 The winner will receive 300,000 euros in grant money and be paired with a fashion mentor who will help them to establish the fundamental aspects of their brand. — Scarlett Newman, Teen Vogue, "This Year’s LVMH Prize Finalists Focus In On Sustainability In Fashion," 27 Mar. 2019 Following the Great Exhibition, Cole helped to establish a more permanent archive of design and technology. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Who Was Henry Cole, Prince Albert's Right-Hand Man in Launching the Great Exhibition?," 25 Feb. 2019 The remarkable June Scobee Rodgers moved on by helping establish the Challenger Centers, which bring the joy of science and space to hundreds of thousands of our children. — Margaret Lazarus Dean, Popular Mechanics, "The Oral History of the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster," 28 Jan. 2019 Meanwhile, the Women’s March helped establish intersectionality as a core tenet not just of mainstream feminism but of Democratic politics. — Anna North, Vox, "The Women’s March changed the American left. Now anti-Semitism allegations threaten the group’s future.," 21 Dec. 2018 Their public displays of adoration, domestic bliss, joking arguments, and obvious togetherness help to establish their presence as power couples for millions of people who follow them. — Julia Alexander, The Verge, "Ariana Grande’s ‘thank u, next’ has come full circle as an extremely online event," 6 Nov. 2018 Satellite data helped them establish the Nile’s approximate course during the capital’s heyday—as well as the locations of settlement-friendly highlands. — Rob Reid, Ars Technica, "Ars on your lunch break: Finding Pharaoh and spotting looters from orbit," 1 Nov. 2018 The Common is also the site of the Central Burying Ground, established in the mid-18th century, whose long-term residents included British common soldiers—in 1895, workers building the Boylston T stop discovered the remains of human bodies nearby. — Condé Nast Traveler, "8 Most Haunted Cities In America and Why You Should Visit," 18 Oct. 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near establish

Statistics for establish

Last Updated

10 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for establish

The first known use of establish was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for establish

establish

verb

English Language Learners Definition of establish

: to cause (someone or something) to be widely known and accepted

: to put (someone or something) in a position, role, etc., that will last for a long time

: to begin or create (something that is meant to last for a long time)

See the full definition for establish in the English Language Learners Dictionary

establish

verb

es·tab·lish | \ i-ˈsta-blish

established; establishing

Kids Definition of establish

1 : to bring into being : found They established a colony.

2 : to put beyond doubt : prove She established her innocence.

establish

transitive verb

es·tab·lish

Legal Definition of establish

1 : to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement we the people of the United States…do ordain and establish this Constitution — U.S. Constitution preamble

2 : to make firm or stable

3 : to bring into existence : found Congress shall have power…to establish post offices and post roads — U.S. Constitution art. I specifically : to found (a national bank) pursuant to a charter

4 : to make (a church) a national or state institution — see also establishment, establishment clause

5 : to put beyond doubt : prove

6 : to place in a position of being accepted or followed a rule established by case law