# Establishment

/ɪˈstæbɫɪʃmənt/ (US) · /ɪstˈæblɪʃmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/establishment
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a business or organization

noun · CEFR B2

a place of business, a shop, or an organization.

For teachers: a place of business, residence, or public institution; often used to refer to a commercial or educational entity.

- The new coffee establishment on the corner is already very popular.
- The city council granted a license to the new educational establishment, provided they met the strict safety requirements for the historic building.

### 2. the ruling class

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the powerful people in a society who control things and do not like change.

For teachers: the social, economic, and political elite that holds power and influence in a country, typically viewed as resistant to change.

- The young protesters were angry at the establishment for ignoring their concerns.
- The candidate ran a campaign based on challenging the political establishment, promising to disrupt the traditional power structures of the capital.

Usage: Usually used with 'the' as 'the Establishment'.

### 3. the act of starting something

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the act of starting or creating something like a law, a company, or a system.

For teachers: the act or process of founding, instituting, or creating something intended to be permanent.

- The establishment of the new park took several years of planning.
- The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations was seen as a major breakthrough for regional stability.

### 4. staffing levels

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Formal · Technical

the number of people who are supposed to work in a specific department.

For teachers: the fixed number of personnel or staff required to operate an organization or department effectively.

- The hospital is currently working with a staff below its full establishment.
- The department was granted a temporary increase in its establishment to handle the surge in administrative work following the merger.

## Examples

- The young artist wanted to shock the establishment.
- After years of protesting against the establishment, the activist was surprised to be offered a government position.
- The candidate positioned himself as an outsider, promising to dismantle the political establishment that he claimed had ignored the working class for decades.

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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.