establish

verb

es·​tab·​lish i-ˈsta-blish How to pronounce establish (audio)
established; establishing; establishes

transitive verb

1
: to institute (something, such as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
2
obsolete : settle sense 7
3
a
: to make firm or stable
b
: to introduce and cause to grow and multiply
establish grass on pasturelands
4
a
: to bring into existence : found
established a republic
b
: bring about, effect
established friendly relations
5
a
: 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
establishable adjective
establisher noun

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The industry must still establish standards for 6G, so there’s no clear understanding of what the technology really is. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023 One way to reduce confusion would be to establish a clearer line for eligibility, such as allowing people to vote after incarceration ends, which happens in Illinois, Indiana and 20 other states. Matt Mencarini, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2023 My plan was to cut the trunks back to one trunk and then try to establish new cordons this year off of that trunk. oregonlive, 19 Mar. 2023 During the occupation, U.S. soldiers helped establish the puppet Presidency of the pro-U.S. politician Philippe Sudré Dartiguenave, paving the way for the United States to play a role in installing or deposing every subsequent Haitian President. Marlene L. Daut, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2023 To some extent, the way Smith and the Cure handled their on-sale this week could establish a new benchmark ticket-buyers can hold up to other artists who have a similar level of pull. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2023 The governor on Thursday signed a bill that will establish an office of renewable energy to oversee the expansion of wind and solar-energy production leases on state trust land. Morgan Lee, ajc, 18 Mar. 2023 This season, in part, will be a way to establish a new identity and culture. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2023 The space agency hopes to establish the first long-term presence on the moon and, using knowledge gleaned from those efforts, send the first humans to Mars. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Mar. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English establissen, from Anglo-French establiss-, stem of establir, from Latin stabilire, from stabilis stable

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near establish

Cite this Entry

“Establish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/establish. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

establish

verb
es·​tab·​lish is-ˈtab-lish How to pronounce establish (audio)
1
: to make a permanent part of a nation's laws
establish a constitution
2
: to make firm or stable
establish a statue on its base
3
a
: to bring into existence : found
establish a republic
establish a school
b
: to cause to exist
establish good relations
establish radio contact
4
: to set on a firm basis
establish their children in business
5
: to gain full recognition or acceptance of
establish a claim
a film that established her as a star
established his innocence
6
: prove
7
: find out sense 1
establish the cause of the fire
establisher noun

Legal Definition

establish

transitive verb
es·​tab·​lish
1
: to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
we the people of the United States…do ordain and establish this ConstitutionU.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 roadsU.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

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