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

The government has accused the men of being armed and radicalized terrorists with a plan to attack an LGBTQ+-friendly establishment in Ferndale or an amusement park, but the FBI got to them first. —John Wisely, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025

In nearby Irvington, only a solitary dining establishment, The Office Bistro, was open. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

These actions helped lay the groundwork for the later establishment of the role of White House Press Secretary, a position first occupied by journalist George Akerson, whom Herbert Hoover had originally hired as his secretary. —JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025

Pelosi, who announced her retirement on Thursday, is the latest in a handful of old guard establishment Democrats making their exit in the wake of the 2024 election — especially as younger, progressive candidates are launching primary bids against elder lawmakers. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025

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