establish

[ ih-stab-lish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to found, institute, build, or bring into being on a firm or stable basis:

   to establish a university; to establish a medical practice.

   Synonyms: organize, form

   Antonyms: abolish

2. to install or settle in a position, place, business, etc.:

   to establish one's child in business.

3. to show to be valid or true; prove:

   to establish the facts of the matter.

   Synonyms: substantiate, verify

   Antonyms: disprove

4. to cause to be accepted or recognized:

   to establish a custom; She established herself as a leading surgeon.

5. to bring about permanently:

   to establish order.

6. to enact, appoint, or ordain for permanence, as a law; fix unalterably.

   Synonyms: decree

7. to make (a church) a national or state institution.
8. Cards. to obtain control of (a suit) so that one can win all the subsequent tricks in it.

establish

/ ɪˈstæblɪʃ /

verb

1. to make secure or permanent in a certain place, condition, job, etc

   to establish one's usefulness

   to establish a house

2. to create or set up (an organization, etc) on or as if on a permanent basis

   to establish a company

3. to prove correct or free from doubt; validate

   to establish a fact

4. to cause (a principle, theory, etc) to be widely or permanently accepted

   to establish a precedent

5. to give (a Church) the status of a national institution
6. (of a person) to become recognized and accepted

   he established himself as a reliable GP

7. (in works of imagination) to cause (a character, place, etc) to be credible and recognized

   the first scene established the period

8. cards to make winners of (the remaining cards of a suit) by forcing out opponents' top cards
9. also intr botany
   1. to cause (a plant) to grow or (of a plant) to grow in a new place

      the birch scrub has established over the past 25 years

   2. to become or cause to become a sapling or adult plant from a seedling

Derived Forms

• esˈtablisher, noun

Other Word Forms

• es·tab·lish·a·ble adjective
• es·tab·lish·er noun
• re·es·tab·lish verb (used with object)
• su·per·es·tab·lish verb (used with object)
• un·es·tab·lish·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of establish¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English establissen, establishen, from Middle French establiss-, extended stem of establir, from Latin stabilīre, derivative of stabilis stable ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of establish¹

C14: from Old French establir, from Latin stabilīre to make firm, from stabilis stable ²

Synonym Study

See fix.

Example Sentences

It seeks to overthrow the federal government and establish an Islamist state.

From BBC

For a good decade afterward, anyone in Little Saigon who openly sought to establish business relations with Vietnam could expect accusations of being a Communist.

From Los Angeles Times

Born into a poor family in the city of Iriga, Ms Aunor established a career in television, music and film over seven decades.

From BBC

Israel's defence minister has said troops will remain in the so-called security zones they have established by seizing large areas of Gaza even after an end to the war.

From BBC

Giving the ruling, President of the Supreme Court Lord Reed said the need for restriction of freedom of speech must be "established convincingly", and that it was not by the NHS trusts in the case.

From BBC

Related Words

• authorize
• base
• build
• create
• enact
• form
• found
• inaugurate
• install
• institute
• provide
• put
• settle
• start