establish
verb
es·tab·lish
i-ˈsta-blish 
established; establishing; establishes
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
establish his son in business
b
: to put into a favorable position
c
: to gain full recognition or acceptance of
the role established her as a star
6
: to make (a church) a national or state institution
7
: to put beyond doubt : prove
established my innocence
Examples of establish in a Sentence
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
Of the five that made the cut, the Yankees, Tigers and Cubs have the best statistical odds, establishing themselves among a clear group of favorites that have begun to coalesce at the top of the rankings midway through the season.
—
Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
An effort to establish a library district in La Grange Park failed after a referendum was defeated in the late 1950s, according to media reports from 50 years ago.
—Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
The cinematic shot language of existential car racing is, of course, well established.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 June 2025
Fortunately, Lehane is a great enough crime author to be able to imitate a terrible one(*), and being more overt about that helps to better establish who Dave is.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for establish
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Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
An effort to establish a library district in La Grange Park failed after a referendum was defeated in the late 1950s, according to media reports from 50 years ago.
—Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
The cinematic shot language of existential car racing is, of course, well established.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 June 2025
Fortunately, Lehane is a great enough crime author to be able to imitate a terrible one(*), and being more overt about that helps to better establish who Dave is.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for establish
Cite this Entry
“Establish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/establish. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
establish
verb
es·tab·lish
is-ˈtab-lish
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
U.S. Constitution preamble2
: 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
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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