establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment i-ˈsta-blish-mənt 

1

: something established: such as

a

: a settled arrangement

especially : a code of laws

b

: established church

c

: a permanent civil or military organization

d

: a place of business or residence with its furnishings and staff

e

: a public or private institution

2

: an established order of society: such as

a

often capitalized : a group of social, economic, and political leaders who form a ruling class (as of a nation)

b

often capitalized : a controlling group

the literary establishment

3

a

: the act of establishing

b

: the state of being established

Synonyms

• joint
• parlor
• place
• salon

Examples of establishment in a Sentence

the establishment of a business

the establishment of a scientific fact

His novels were disliked by the literary establishment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspectors from the health department, along with Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo and Councilman Scott Benson, on Wednesday showed reporters how the city runs food safety inspections at three food establishments: The Burger Truck, Jolly Pumpkin and Grey Ghost. —Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 27 June 2024

After two seasons that pushed the narrative forward at an astonishing rate — sandwich shops very rarely become fine-dining establishments in such short order — the third season of The Bear finds Carmy in a true morass. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 June 2024

His challenger, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, has gained the support of members of the old-school establishment, including Hillary Clinton. —Alec Dent, Washington Post, 25 June 2024

The move took the French political establishment and society at large by surprise. —Joshua Berlinger, CNN, 25 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing establishment

• non-establishment
• re-establishment
• the establishment

Kids Definition

establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment is-ˈtab-lish-mənt 

1

: the act of establishing : the state or fact of being established

establishment of a church

establishment of a scientific fact

2

: a place for residence or business

a dry-cleaning establishment

3

: an established order of society

also, often capitalized : the social, economic, and political leaders of such an order

rebelling against the establishment

Legal Definition

establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment

1

: something established: as

a

: a church recognized by law as the official church of a nation or state and supported by civil authority

b

: a permanent civil or military organization

c

: a place of residence or especially business with its furnishings and staff

2

a

: an act of establishing

b

: the state of being established