English Reference
adjective

established

adj.
US /ɪˈstæbɫɪʃt/ UK /ɪstˈæblɪʃt/ es·tab·lished

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    having existed for a long time and being respected or accepted by most people.

    having been in existence for a significant period and consequently recognised as authoritative or generally accepted.

    Simple

    She is an established artist whose paintings are sold in galleries all over the world.

    In context

    The company is an established leader in the telecommunications sector, having maintained a dominant market share for over three decades.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal Religion

    officially recognised by a government or state, especially a church.

    formally recognised by a state as being the official institution within that jurisdiction, particularly regarding religious bodies.

    Simple

    The Church of England is the established church in the United Kingdom.

    In context

    The legal privileges of the established church were a subject of intense parliamentary debate during the nineteenth century.

    unrecognised
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Academic

    belonging to the group of people who have power and influence in a society.

    integrated into the 'establishment' or the social and economic groups that hold traditional power.

    Simple

    The young politician tried to win votes by attacking established political parties.

    In context

    The movement sought to challenge established economic interests that had long dictated the city's urban development policies.

Usage established himself · established in to provide · established themselves

Recent surveys found signs that water voles had established themselves both upstream and downstream of the original release site.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

The UN World Food Programme ( WFP ) has been active in Colombia for nearly six decades and has an established presence in some of the areas hit hardest by the earthquake.

UN News· 12 Aug 2026

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated