establish

1 of 2

verb

es·​tab·​lish i-ˈsta-blish How to pronounce establish (audio)
established; establishing; establishes
Synonyms of establish

transitive verb

1
: to institute (something, such as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
2
obsolete : settle sense 7
3
a
: to make firm or stable
b
: to introduce and cause to grow and multiply
establish grass on pasturelands
4
a
: to bring into existence : found
established a republic
b
: bring about, effect
established friendly relations
5
a
: to put on a firm basis : set up
They established their children in the family business.
b
: to put into a favorable position
c
: to gain full recognition or acceptance of
The role established her as a star.
The word is now established as part of the language.
6
: to make (a church) a national or state institution
7
: to put beyond doubt : prove
established my innocence
establishable
i-ˈsta-bli-shə-bəl How to pronounce establish (audio)
adjective
establisher
i-ˈsta-bli-shər How to pronounce establish (audio)
noun

establisher

2 of 2

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​er -shə(r) How to pronounce establisher (audio)
plural -s
: one that establishes

Synonyms of establish

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of establish in a Sentence

Verb The film established her as a star. She established a reputation as a hard worker. The word is now established as part of the English language. The company has established itself as a leader in the industry. As a young doctor he worked hard to establish himself in the community. They want to establish their children in the family business. She established a system of tracking expenses more accurately. The two countries established a mutual trade agreement. establishing a link between diet and cancer Investigators are trying to establish if anyone knew about these problems before the accident.
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.
Verb
The bill would establish a framework for crypto, divide oversight between the Securities Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, set registration requirements and strengthen anti-money-laundering protections. — Tanaya MacHeel,talia Kaplan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 The signing established the federal government’s framework following months of debate and compromise. — USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 The food scene has been expanding alongside retail, and New York hospitality names have continued to move into Beverly Hills, with Marea and Cipriani already established and Bad Roman among the most recent arrivals. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 For example, some sculptures establish sight lines while gazing toward other sculptures—a bronze representation of the messenger god Mercury in the Carter Collection room stares beyond its space to the Bateman Mercury, ca. — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for establish

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English establissen, from Anglo-French establiss-, stem of establir, from Latin stabilire, from stabilis stable

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of establish was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing establish

Rhymes for establish

See All Rhymes for establish

Browse Nearby Words

-est
establish
establishable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Establish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/establish. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

establish

verb
es·​tab·​lish is-ˈtab-lish How to pronounce establish (audio)
1
: to make a permanent part of a nation's laws
establish a constitution
2
: to make firm or stable
establish a statue on its base
3
a
: to bring into existence : found
establish a republic
establish a school
b
: to cause to exist
establish good relations
establish radio contact
4
: to set on a firm basis
establish their children in business
5
: to gain full recognition or acceptance of
establish a claim
a film that established her as a star
established his innocence
6
: prove
7
: find out sense 1
establish the cause of the fire
establisher noun

Legal Definition

establish

transitive verb
es·​tab·​lish
1
: to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
we the people of the United States…do ordain and establish this Constitution—U.S. Constitution preamble
2
: to make firm or stable
3
: to bring into existence : found
Congress shall have power…to establish post offices and post roads—U.S. Constitution art. I
specifically : to found (a national bank) pursuant to a charter
4
: to make (a church) a national or state institution see also establishment, establishment clause
5
: to put beyond doubt : prove
6
: to place in a position of being accepted or followed
a rule established by case law
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