Establish

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪˈstæb.lɪʃ/

Origin

Middle English establissen, Old French establiss-, stem of some of the conjugated forms of establir, (Modern French établir), from Latin stabiliō, from stabilis ("firm, steady, stable").

Full definition of establish

Verb

1. (transitive) To make stable or firm; to confirm.
2. (transitive) To form; to found; to institute; to set up in business.
• Authorized Version, Genesis 6:18But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
3. (transitive) To appoint or adopt, as officers, laws, regulations, guidelines, etc.; to enact; to ordain.
• 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 4, By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.
4. (transitive) To prove and cause to be accepted as true; to establish a fact; to demonstrate.

Related terms

• stable

Derived terms

• established church
• establishing shot
• long-established