Word
establish
Phoneticses·tab·lish, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪˈstæbɫɪʃ/
UK/ɪstˈæblɪʃ/
Definitions
01to set up or found
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to start a company, organization, or system that will continue for a long time.
v. to set up an organisation, system, or set of rules on a firm or permanent basis.
“The family established a successful clothing business in the city over fifty years ago.”
“The treaty established a new framework for international cooperation, ensuring that all member states adhered to the same environmental standards.”
Usage
Often used with organizations, businesses, or formal systems as the object.
02to prove as true
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to show that something is true by using facts or evidence.
v. to achieve permanent acceptance or recognition for a fact or theory by providing evidence.
“The police are still trying to establish the facts of the case.”
“The researchers were able to establish a clear link between the new medication and the improved recovery rates in the patient group.”
Usage
Commonly used in legal, scientific, and academic contexts with objects like 'facts', 'links', or 'truth'.
Synonyms
03to gain a reputation
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to become successful and respected in a particular job or field.
v. to place someone or oneself in a position of respect or success within a profession or community.
“She quickly established herself as one of the best lawyers in the firm.”
“By the age of thirty, he had established himself as a leading authority on medieval architecture through several influential publications.”
Usage
Frequently used in the reflexive form 'establish oneself as'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “establish” in context.
Verb
01. clearly establish
“The evidence was enough to clearly establish his innocence.”
adv + verb
02. establish basis
“The initial research helped to establish the basis for the new theory.”
verb + noun
03. establish contact
“The rescue team finally managed to establish contact with the missing hikers.”
verb + noun
04. establish criterion
“We must establish clear criteria for selecting the best candidate.”
verb + noun
05. establish extent
“We need to establish the extent of the damage before we can start repairs.”
verb + noun
06. establish foundation
“These early lessons establish a solid foundation for future learning.”
verb + noun
07. establish framework
“The agreement will establish a framework for future cooperation.”
verb + noun
08. establish identity
“The police are still trying to establish the identity of the victim.”
verb + noun
09. establish link
“Investigators are trying to establish a link between the two crimes.”
verb + noun
10. establish nature
“Further tests are required to establish the nature of the illness.”
verb + noun
11. establish pattern
“The data began to establish a clear pattern of consumer behavior.”
verb + noun
12. establish relation
“The study aims to establish a relation between diet and heart disease.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“But water companies argue that these problems can only be solved by boosting spending to replace pipes, build treatment plants and establish new reservoirs.” “Umit – a wild-caught female tiger transported from the Russian far east – will be joined by more big cats in the coming years, with plans to establish a self-sustaining population of about 50.” “These objects have helped to establish the age of the site.” Etymology
From Middle English establissen, from Old French establiss-, stem of some of the conjugated forms of establir, (Modern French établir), from Latin stabiliō, stabilīre, from stabilis (“firm, steady, stable”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/establish