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

b

often capitalized : a controlling group

the literary establishment

3

a

: the act of establishing

b

: the state of being established

Synonyms

• 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

Foxx has centered her criticism on establishment Democrats circling the wagons for establishment candidates, noting that three senior Democratic members of Congress died within the first six months of Trump’s second term, handing Republicans a larger advantage. —Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

Thiel had helped found Palantir, which was transforming the American defense establishment by integrating computer operations and simplifying tasks like tracking and destroying enemy targets. —Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

Entry level candidates can join the deck, engine or steward’s department in an entry-level position by contacting a company or a union hall or training at a maritime academy, college, school or training establishment. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 14 July 2025

Several religious leaders and a leading legal religious protection institute have backed the group's efforts to preserve Oak Flat, one of the Apache people's most sacred sites, in the interest of religious liberty and the First Amendment's establishment clause. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 13 July 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