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Definition of establish
transitive verb
1 : to institute (something, such as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
2 obsolete : settle 7
3a : to make firm or stableb : to introduce and cause to grow and multiply establish grass on pasturelands
4a : to bring into existence : found established a republicb : bring about, effect established friendly relations
5a : to put on a firm basis : set up establish his son in businessb : to put into a favorable positionc : 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
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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 of establish from the Web
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Dawson established the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association in 1987.
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Mr. Bodnar’s ombudsman’s office was established in the waning years of communism as a way to make sure citizen complaints got a fair hearing and an independent champion.
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The special clinic days for physicals have been established to make sure that all required paperwork and immunizations are completed on time.
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Palestinians hope to establish their capital of a future state in east Jerusalem.
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Kari Thompson, a Kansas City police spokeswoman, said detectives had not established a link between the two shootings beyond the fact that all three men were from Tulsa.
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Trump, a Republican, established the Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in May to investigate his claims that millions of illegal voters participated in last November's elections.
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The Plan established greenhouse gas emission reduction goals of 8% within four years, 40% within 20 years, and 84% by 2050 (42 years), according to the City of Cincinnati's website.
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Hilary Geary Ross, the wife of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Conway’s new neighbor, is also already well-established here, with friendships on both sides of the aisle dating back decades.
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.
Origin and Etymology of establish
Middle English establissen, from Anglo-French establiss-, stem of establir, from Latin stabilire, from stabilis stable
ESTABLISH Defined for English Language Learners
establish
playDefinition of establish for English Language Learners
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: to cause (someone or something) to be widely known and accepted
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: to put (someone or something) in a position, role, etc., that will last for a long time
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: to begin or create (something that is meant to last for a long time)
ESTABLISH Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
establish
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
Learn More about establish
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for establish Spanish Central: Translation of establish Nglish: Translation of establish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of establish for Arabic speakers
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