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

History: The community was established in the 1950s as a residential area to support the nearby Miramar Naval Air Station. — Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Mira Mesa: From publisher’s ranch to military housing and ethnic hotspot," 30 June 2019 As a result, in keeping with committee rules, an investigative subcommittee was established to review the allegations against Gaetz, the statement said. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Ethics Committee probing Rep. Gaetz over Cohen tweet," 28 June 2019 It is well established that having a shoulder to lean on helps us get through a bad day, and studies show that social support is one of the best salves for stress. — Samantha Boardman, Marie Claire, "Can I Self-Care Too Much?," 28 June 2019 After the storm, a $30-million emergency contract was established between Caltrans and Ames Construction to replace storm drains, rebuild slopes and roadbeds, repave roads and reinstall guardrails and signage, officials said. — Alexa Díaz, latimes.com, "Damaged by storms, a major highway to Idyllwild is closed for the summer," 27 June 2019 It was established in the drab basement of the football stadium by the former pitching coach Derek Johnson, now a coach for the Cincinnati Reds. — Pat Borzi, New York Times, "‘If You Don’t Have It, You’re Behind’: College Baseball’s Tech Arms Race," 25 June 2019 Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, which was established with UTC’s $30 billion acquisition of aerospace manufacturer Rockwell Collins Inc. will form UTC’s aerospace portion of the Raytheon business. — Stephen Singer, courant.com, "Pratt & Whitney president to retire next year as UTC and Raytheon combine in aerospace and defense merger," 25 June 2019 The surgery was the first in utero fetal surgery performed at the Clinic’s Fetal Center, which was established two years ago, and the first surgery of its type in northern Ohio. — Ginger Christ, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Clinic makes strategic move into prenatal care, performs first in utero fetal surgery," 24 June 2019 With a few exceptions, its members were young, affluent white men, who were excited by Macron’s commitment to shaking up a status quo that had been established in the postwar era and hardly updated since. — Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, "Can Emmanuel Macron Stem the Populist Tide?," 24 June 2019

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

3 Jul 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