attain

verb

at·​tain ə-ˈtān 

attained; attaining; attains

transitive verb

1

: to reach as an end : gain, achieve

attain a goal

2

: to come into possession of : obtain

he attained preferment over his fellows

3

: to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement

They attained the top of the hill.

attain a ripe old age

intransitive verb

: to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort

—usually used with to

will probably attain to a height of six feet

attainability

ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

attainable

ə-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• achieve
• bag
• chalk up
• clock (up) [chiefly British]
• gain
• hit
• log
• make
• notch (up)
• rack up
• ring up
• score
• win

Examples of attain in a Sentence

a quest to attain enlightenment

She refused to let the injury keep her from attaining her goal of being in the Olympics.

This kind of tree can attain a height of 20 feet within just a few years.

The car can attain a top speed of 200 mph.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since taking office in 2015, Duda has pursued a policy of strengthening Poland's military, attaining energy independence from Russia, and deepening strategic ties with Washington. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

To attain the 17:1 ratio of water-to-coffee often touted as ideal by the international Specialty Coffee Association, each 5-ounce cup would require about 8 grams of coffee. —Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2025

This porcini ragù attains a velvety intensity in practically no time. —Matthew Cullen, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025

Without further ado, here are the 14 best drugstore shampoos of 2025 to attain gorgeous hair for less. —Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English atteynen, from Anglo-French ateign-, stem of ateindre to reach, accomplish, convict, from Vulgar Latin *attangere, alteration of Latin attingere, from ad- + tangere to touch — more at tangent entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for attain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign
• cetane

Kids Definition

attain

verb

at·​tain ə-ˈtān 

1

: to reach as a goal : accomplish, achieve

2

: to come to possess : obtain

3

: to arrive at : reach

attain the top of the mountain

—often used with to

attainability

ə-ˌtā-nə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

attainable

-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective