Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense establishes, present participle establishing, past tense, past participle established
1. verb
If someone establishes something such as an organization, a type of activity, or a set of rules, they create it or introduce it in such a way that it is likely to last for a long time.
The U.N. has established detailed criteria for who should be allowed to vote. [VERB noun]
The School was established in 1989 by an Italian professor. [beVERB-ed]
2. verb
If you establish contact with someone, you start to have contact with them. You can also say that two people, groups, or countries establish contact.
[formal]
We had already established contact with the museum. [VERB noun + with]
The two countries have established diplomatic relations. [VERB noun]
3. verb
If you establishthat something is true, you discover facts that show that it is definitely true.
[formal]
Medical tests established that she was not their own child. [VERB that]
It will be essential to establish how the money is being spent. [VERB wh]
An autopsy was being done to establish the cause of death. [VERB noun]
It was established that the missile had landed on a test range in Australia. [beVERB-ed that]
Synonyms: prove, show, confirm, demonstrate More Synonyms of establish
establishedadjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
That link is an established medical fact.
Synonyms: famous, celebrated, distinguished, honoured More Synonyms of establish
4. verb
If you establishyourself, your reputation, or a good quality that you have, you succeed in doing something, and achieve respect or a secure position as a result of this.
This is going to be the show where up-and-coming comedians will establish themselves. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
He has established himself as a pivotal figure in U.S. politics. [V pron-refl + as]
We shall fight to establish our innocence. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB noun + as]
Synonyms: secure, form, base, ground More Synonyms of establish
More Synonyms of establish
establish in British English
(ɪˈstæblɪʃ)
verb(usually tr)
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
a.
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
b.
to become or cause to become a sapling or adult plant from a seedling
Derived forms
establisher (esˈtablisher)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French establir, from Latin stabilīre to make firm, from stabilisstable2
establish in American English
(əˈstæblɪʃ; ɪˈstæblɪʃ)
verb transitive
1.
to make stable; make firm; settle
to establish a habit
2.
to order, ordain, or enact (a law, statute, etc.) permanently
3.
to set up (a government, nation, business, etc.); found; institute
4.
to cause to be or happen; bring about
efforts to establish a friendship
5.
to settle in an office or position, or set up as in business or a profession
6.
to make a state institution of (a church)
7.
to set up (a precedent, theory, reputation, etc.) permanently; cause to be accepted or recognized
8.
to prove; demonstrate
to establish one's cause at law
9. Cards
to win control of (a suit) so that one is sure of taking all the remaining tricks in it
Derived forms
establisher (esˈtablisher)
noun
Word origin
ME establissen < extended stem of OFr establir < L stabilire < stabilis, stable1
Examples of 'establish' in a sentence
establish
The trend for that has been well established and is projected into the future.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
Police were waiting on post mortem results to establish the exact cause of his death.
The Sun (2016)
It is understood that the club is trying to establish the facts behind the allegations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The notion that this has been a uniquely terrible year is now well established.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It acts as a conduit for the plant to draw nutrients and is proven to establish plants quicker and more strongly.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some are already established but one or two haven't yet shown how good they can be.
The Sun (2017)
His role in pushing for and winning the referendum is already well established in Washington and won him invites to other exclusive receptions during the inauguration week.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
When first planted they may take a year or two to establish, but be patient and don't be tempted to dig them up and move them.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can divide established plants in spring or autumn.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Protestants had already established school systems and colleges in this way.
Christianity Today (2000)
People will establish themselves once they get there.
The Sun (2014)
Yet his desire to challenge established thinking often makes him enemies.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It took more than two weeks to establish who had been saved.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Why was this relatively short period so crucial in establishing new international contacts?
Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)
The following day arrangements were made for an autopsy to establish the cause of death.
Deborah Cadbury THE LOST KING OF FRANCE: Revolution, Revenge and the Search for Louis XVII (2002)
It would establish the facts of a case well before the assisted death takes place.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
With established plants simply cut back and mulch with leaf mould in spring.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is already established as a fashion leader.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Confidence between two women establishes itself through processes at once subtle and simple.
Frances Hodgson Burnett Emily Fox-Seton (1901)
The final method by which the president establishes contact with the people is through elections.
Wright, Vincent The Government and Politics of France (1989)
The branch will work to establish the causes and circumstances of the accident before preparing a report.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It seems to be about strengthening the bond between them as well as establishing themselves as a new item.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Secondly, critical theory set out to establish a permanent place for critique in political life.
Low, Nicholas Politics, Planning and the State (1990)
A growth policy requires that a human organization establish the atmosphere of continuous learning and acquire the readiness to do different and bigger things.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
For the established Church to seek this further exemption is to me, a cause for deep concern and disappointment.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He established the Church of England.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
establish
British English: establish VERB
If someone establishes something such as an organization, a type of activity, or a set of rules, they create it or introduce.
They have established detailed criteria for who should be allowed to vote.
American English: establish
Brazilian Portuguese: estabelecer
Chinese: 建立
European Spanish: establecer
French: établir
German: etablieren
Italian: stabilire
Japanese: 設立する
Korean: 설립하다
European Portuguese: estabelecer
Latin American Spanish: establecer
All related terms of 'establish'
pre-establish
to establish , set up, set out, arrange or make secure in advance or previously
re-establish
to establish (something) again
establish an identity
The identity of a person or place is the characteristics they have that distinguish them from others.
establish a routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
establish a foundation
The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
preestablish
to establish in advance
Chinese translation of 'establish'
establish
(ɪsˈtæblɪʃ)
vt
(= set up)[company, relations, contact]建立 (jiànlì)
(= find out)[facts, cause]证(證)实(實) (zhèngshí)
(= acquire)[reputation]确(確)立 (quèlì)
to establish that ... (frm) 证(證)实(實) ... (zhèngshí ... )
1 (verb)
Definition
to create or set up (an organization, link, etc.)
They established the school in 1989.
Synonyms
set up
found
He founded the Centre for Journalism Studies.
start
Now is probably as good a time as any to start a business.
create
They are about to create a scholarship fund for less advantaged students.
institute
We will institute a number of methods to improve safety.
organize
We need someone to help organize our campaign.
install
A new Catholic bishop was installed yesterday.
constitute
On 6 July a People's Revolutionary Government was constituted.
inaugurate
They inaugurated the first ever scheduled flights.
2 (verb)
Definition
to prove
An autopsy was being done to establish the cause of death.
Synonyms
prove
new evidence that could prove their innocence
show
These figures show an increase in unemployment.
confirm
This confirms what I suspected all along.
demonstrate
You have to demonstrate that you are reliable.
ratify
They have yet to ratify the treaty.
certify
They have certified the document as genuine.
verify
The government has not verified any of these reports.
validate
The evidence has been validated by historians.
substantiate
There is little scientific evidence to substantiate the claims.
corroborate
I had access to a wide range of documents which corroborated the story.
authenticate
He authenticated the accuracy of various details.
3 (verb)
Definition
to become firmly associated with a particular activity or reputation
He has established himself as a pivotal figure in US politics.
Synonyms
secure
form
You may want to form a company to buy a joint freehold.
base
He based his conclusions on the evidence given by the prisoners.
ground
Her argument was grounded in fact.
plant
Sir Eric had evidently planted the idea in her mind.
settle
Right, that's settled then.
fix
Fix the photo to the card using double-sided tape
root
implant
Doctors implanted an artificial heart into the 46-year-old man.
entrench
This policy is likely to entrench existing divisions.
ensconce
They ensconced themselves on the couch.
put down roots
Additional synonyms
in the sense of authenticate
He authenticated the accuracy of various details.
Synonyms
vouch for,
confirm,
endorse,
validate,
attest
in the sense of base
Definition
to use as a basis for
He based his conclusions on the evidence given by the prisoners.
Synonyms
ground,
found,
build,
rest,
establish,
depend,
root,
construct,
derive,
hinge
in the sense of certify
Definition
to guarantee (that certain required standards have been met)