establish

verb

es·​tab·​lish i-ˈsta-blish 

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

They established their children in the family business.

b

: to put into a favorable position

c

: to gain full recognition or acceptance of

The role established her as a star.

The word is now established as part of the language.

6

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

7

: to put beyond doubt : prove

established my innocence

establishable

i-ˈsta-bli-shə-bəl 

adjective

establisher

i-ˈsta-bli-shər 

noun

Synonyms of establish

• prove
• demonstrate

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

Concrete cases would establish that equal treatment governs the full educational enterprise. — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

But on November 29, 1777, a small group of Spanish settlers moved into the area to establish a civilian agricultural town, called El Pueblo de San Jose, to provide food for the missions and presidios. — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026

Their effectiveness is enhanced when integrated with other counter-UAS technologies and established command-and-control arrangements. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

During this time, mature bucks become increasingly active and less cautious to establish dominance within their territory. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing establish

• pre-establish
• re-establish

Rhymes for establish

• reestablish

Kids Definition

establish

verb

es·​tab·​lish is-ˈtab-lish 

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 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