Establishment

UK: 'establishment', 'Establishment': /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/

US: /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/

US: (i stab′lish mənt)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Establishment / ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/ noun

1. the Establishment ⇒ a group or class of people having institutional authority within a society, esp those who control the civil service, the government, the armed forces, and the Church: usually identified with a conservative outlook

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

es•tab•lish•ment /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/   n. 

1. [uncountable] the act of establishing or the state of being established.
2. a place of business:
   [countable] That flour mill is the oldest establishment in town.
3. Government the Establishment, [countable; usually singular] the people and institutions that control power in society.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

es•tab•lish•ment  (i stab′lish mənt), n. 

1. the act or an instance of establishing.
2. the state or fact of being established.
3. something established;
   a constituted order or system.
4. Government (often cap.) the existing power structure in society;
   the dominant groups in society and their customs or institutions;
   institutional authority (usually prec. by the):
   The Establishment believes exploring outer space is worth any tax money spent.
5. Government (often cap.) the dominant group in a field of endeavor, organization, etc. (usually prec. by the):
   the literary Establishment.
6. a household;
   place of residence including its furnishings, grounds, etc.
7. a place of business together with its employees, merchandise, equipment, etc.
8. a permanent civil, military, or other force or organization.
9. an institution, as a school, hospital, etc.
10. Religion the recognition by a state of a church as the state church.
11. Religion the church so recognized, esp. the Church of England.
12. [Archaic.] a fixed or settled income.

• 1475–85; 1920–25 for def. 4; establish + -ment

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

establishment / ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/ noun

1. the act of establishing or state of being established
2. a business organization or other large institution
3. the place where a business is carried on
4. the staff and equipment of a commercial or other organization
5. any large organization, institution, or system
6. a household or place of residence
7. a body of employees or servants
8. (modifier) belonging to or characteristic of the Establishment; orthodox or conservative