establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment i-ˈsta-blish-mənt 

1

: something established: such as

a

: a settled arrangement

especially : a code of laws

b

: established church

c

: a permanent civil or military organization

d

: a place of business or residence with its furnishings and staff

e

: a public or private institution

2

: an established order of society: such as

a

often Establishment : a group of social, economic, and political leaders who form a ruling class (as of a nation)

b

often Establishment : a controlling group

the literary establishment

3

a

: the act of establishing

b

: the state of being established

Synonyms of establishment

• place
• facility

Examples of establishment in a Sentence

the establishment of a business

the establishment of a scientific fact

His novels were disliked by the literary establishment.

Recent Examples on the Web

That flies at home, but not in a food service establishment. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026

February 2026 highlights in Savannah include a new cookbook store emphasizing global flavors; a Broughton Street restaurant inspired by a former establishment; the return of a major fundraiser for the Forsyth Farmers Market and a new signature beer crafted for a downtown hotel. —Bill Dawers, AJC.com, 3 Feb. 2026

TikTok Shop’s Ajay Salpekar doesn’t mind that brands like Medicube and Beauty of Joseon — which initially rose to prominence via the platform — are now making their way into establishment beauty retail. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026

The first demonstration against it took place within the very first month of its establishment, when women poured into the streets to protest compulsory hijab. —Shahrnush Parsipur, Time, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing establishment

• non-establishment
• re-establishment
• the establishment

Rhymes for establishment

• disestablishment
• reestablishment

Kids Definition

establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment is-ˈtab-lish-mənt 

1

: the act of establishing : the state or fact of being established

establishment of a church

establishment of a scientific fact

2

: a place for residence or business

a dry-cleaning establishment

3

: an established order of society

also, often capitalized : the social, economic, and political leaders of such an order

rebelling against the establishment

Legal Definition

establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment

1

: something established: as

a

: a church recognized by law as the official church of a nation or state and supported by civil authority

b

: a permanent civil or military organization

c

: a place of residence or especially business with its furnishings and staff

2

a

: an act of establishing

b

: the state of being established