established

UK: /ɪˈstæblɪʃt/

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

es•tab•lish /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to bring into being on a firm or permanent basis;
   set up;
   found:
   to establish a university.
2. [~ + oneself] to install, put, or settle in a position, place, business, etc.:
   They established themselves as founders of the society.
3. to figure out;
   determine:
   The coroner was able to establish the time of death.
   [~ + that clause]
   The coroner was able to establish that death took place at about eight o'clock.
4. to cause to be accepted or recognized: to establish a custom.
5. to enact, appoint, or ordain on a permanent basis:
   The new parliament set about establishing laws to improve the economy.

See -stab-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

es•tab•lish  (i stab′lish), v.t. 

1. to found, institute, build, or bring into being on a firm or stable basis:
   to establish a university; to establish a medical practice.
2. to install or settle in a position, place, business, etc.:
   to establish one's child in business.
3. to show to be valid or true;
   prove:
   to establish the facts of the matter.
4. to cause to be accepted or recognized:
   to establish a custom; She established herself as a leading surgeon.
5. to bring about permanently:
   to establish order.
6. to enact, appoint, or ordain for permanence, as a law;
   fix unalterably.
7. Religion to make (a church) a national or state institution.
8. Games [Cards.] to obtain control of (a suit) so that one can win all the subsequent tricks in it.

• Latin stabilīre, akin to stabilis stable²
• Middle French establiss-, extended stem of establir
• Middle English establissen 1325–75

es•tab′lish•a•ble, adj. 
es•tab′lish•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. form, organize. See fix. 
• 3. verify, substantiate.
• 6. decree.

Antonyms

• 1. abolish.
• 3. disprove.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

establish / ɪˈstæblɪʃ/ verb (usually tr)

1. to make secure or permanent in a certain place, condition, job, etc
2. to create or set up (an organization, etc) on or as if on a permanent basis
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
7. (in works of imagination) to cause (a character, place, etc) to be credible and recognized

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French establir, from Latin stabilīre to make firm, from stabilis stable²

esˈtablisher noun