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establish

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verb [transitive] British English pronunciation: establish /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyestablish
he/she/itestablishes
present participleestablishing
past tenseestablished
past participleestablished
  1. 1
    to make something start to exist or start to happen

    A proper procedure for complaints should be established.

    The case established an important legal principle.

    Mandela was eager to establish good relations with the business community.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  establishThesaurus entry for this meaning of establish
    1. a.
      to start an organization or company

      The company was established in 1860.

      The government agreed to establish two committees to examine the proposals.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  establishThesaurus entry for this meaning of establish
  2. 2
    to discover, prove, or decide that something is true

    The cause of death has not yet been established.

    establish (that):

    We have established that you were present that afternoon.

    establish whether/how/who etc:

    I was never able to establish whether she was telling the truth.

    establish a link/connection:

    Townsend’s work firmly established the links between unemployment and poverty.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  establishThesaurus entry for this meaning of establish
  3. 3
    to achieve success, so that people recognize your skill, qualities, or power

    Within six months, Caesar had established his authority over Gaul.

    establish yourself/someone (as something):

    Reagan quickly established himself as a promising film actor.

    establish a reputation:

    The Institute has established a reputation for the exploration of new art in Britain.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  establishThesaurus entry for this meaning of establish
  4. 4
    to make the characters in a story seem real

    By what means does the author attempt to establish the character of the narrator?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  establishThesaurus entry for this meaning of establish

This is the British English definition of establish. View American English definition of establish.

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