# establishing

/ɪˈstæbɫɪʃɪŋ/ (US) · /ɪstˈæblɪʃɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/establishing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. starting an organisation

verb · CEFR B2

starting a company, organisation, or system that is intended to last for a long time.

For teachers: the process of founding or instituting an entity, system, or set of rules with the intent of permanence.

- Establishing a new business requires a lot of paperwork and patience.
- Establishing the non-profit foundation took several years of legal negotiations and significant initial investment from the local community.

Usage: Often used as a gerund acting as the subject of a sentence.

### 2. proving a fact

verb · CEFR B2

showing that something is definitely true or exists.

For teachers: demonstrating the truth or validity of a fact or theory through evidence or logical proof.

- The police are still establishing the facts of the accident.
- Establishing a clear timeline of events was essential for the jury to understand the defendant's motivations.

Usage: Commonly takes a direct object like 'facts', 'truth', or 'evidence'.

### 3. building a relationship

verb · CEFR B2

starting a relationship or a way of communicating with someone.

For teachers: initiating and stabilizing a relationship, rapport, or professional connection.

- Establishing a good relationship with your neighbours makes life much easier.
- Establishing a rapport with the client early in the process helped the consultants secure a long-term contract.

Usage: Often used with abstract nouns like 'rapport', 'trust', or 'connection'.

### 4. the act of creation

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the actual process or act of setting something up.

For teachers: the action or instance of founding or verifying something; functions as a verbal noun.

- The establishing of the new law took many months of debate.
- The establishing of diplomatic ties between the two nations was seen as a major breakthrough for regional peace.

Usage: Usually preceded by 'the' and followed by 'of'.

## Examples

- The company is establishing a new office in London this year.
- By publishing the results of the study, the researchers are establishing a clear link between diet and heart health.
- The treaty was instrumental in establishing a framework for international cooperation that has successfully prevented major conflicts in the region for over half a century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.