attain

verb

at·​tain ə-ˈtān How to pronounce attain (audio)
attained; attaining; attains
Synonyms of attain

transitive verb

1
: to reach as an end : gain, achieve
attain a goal
2
: to come into possession of : obtain
he attained preferment over his fellows
3
: to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement
They attained the top of the hill.
attain a ripe old age

intransitive verb

: to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort
—usually used with to
will probably attain to a height of six feet
attainability
ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce attain (audio)
noun
attainable
ə-ˈtā-nə-bəl How to pronounce attain (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of attain

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Examples of attain in a Sentence

a quest to attain enlightenment She refused to let the injury keep her from attaining her goal of being in the Olympics. This kind of tree can attain a height of 20 feet within just a few years. The car can attain a top speed of 200 mph.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the Philippines attained independence, in 1946, with the country’s economy constricted from more than three centuries of colonization, a diaspora spread around the world. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 In other words, what happens when their agreeable or polite approach to attaining something doesn’t work? — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 This is a big step, particularly in Hinduism, where gurus are part of culture and deemed necessary to attain moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 The Tennessee singer-songwriter, actor, and philanthropist hailed from a vanishing class, a 20th-century monocultural phenomenon who attained a household-name status that never lost its luster. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attain

Word History

Etymology

Middle English atteynen, from Anglo-French ateign-, stem of ateindre to reach, accomplish, convict, from Vulgar Latin *attangere, alteration of Latin attingere, from ad- + tangere to touch — more at tangent entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of attain was in the 14th century

Rhymes for attain

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Browse Nearby Words

attagirl
attain
attainability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attain. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

attain

verb
at·​tain ə-ˈtān How to pronounce attain (audio)
1
: to reach as a goal : accomplish, achieve
2
: to come to possess : obtain
3
: to arrive at : reach
attain the top of the mountain
—often used with to
attainability
ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce attain (audio)
noun
attainable
-ˈtā-nə-bəl How to pronounce attain (audio)
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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