establishment

noun es·tab·lish·ment \ i-ˈsta-blish-mənt \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of establishment

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

See establishment defined for English-language learners

See establishment defined for kids

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 of establishment from the Web

Before long, patrons of the nearby establishments, who’d been on lockdown all day, were finally allowed to go about their business.

— aaron gell, Longreads, "Did Brian Easley Have to Die?," 9 Apr. 2018
WebstaruantStore, which provides equipment and information for restaurants, bars and other establishments, generally defines Belgian-style beers as carrying fruity, spicy and sweet flavors with a high alcohol content and low bitterness.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "How to Talk About Beer Like a Pro on National Beer Day," 7 Apr. 2018
But the influx of tourists, neglected infrastructure and growth of resort establishments and poor settlements are harming the island.

— Fox News, "Philippines to shut polluted isle Duterte called a cesspool," 5 Apr. 2018
No other local establishment came close to selling as much alcohol as Aramark did during the rodeo.

— joshua fechter, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio drinkers have spent more than $98 million on alcohol so far in 2018," 3 Apr. 2018
All over the city, but especially in Rogers Park, bars, restaurants, cafes and other establishments were full of patrons supporting the team's first NCAA Final Four appearance since 1963.

— ese olumhense, chicagotribune.com, "Loyola basketball fans descend on Rogers Park to watch Ramblers play," 31 Mar. 2018
Anvil will compete with four other establishments across the country for the title, to be awarded at the Beard Foundation's annual gala in Chicago on May 7.

— alison cook, Houston Chronicle, "Houston chefs shut out in James Beard awards," 14 Mar. 2018
Policy Matters Ohio says that during 2006, $2.4 billion in SNAP benefits were redeemed in 9,644 Ohio superstores, supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets and other establishments.

— sabrina eaton, cleveland.com, "Food fight is simmering over SNAP in Washington," 5 Mar. 2018
Natural wines, not fortified or blended with spirituous beverages may be sold for consumption on the premises by retail drugs stores, restaurants, confectionary stores and other establishments in about the same manner as draught beer is sold.

— robert king, Indianapolis Star, "Cheers: The curious history of alcohol sales in Indiana," 28 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'establishment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.