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

Since its establishment in March 2015, WED has worked alongside many prominent names, always overdelivering on its promises. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

The construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture was finished in 2016, 13 years after its legislative establishment. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Dec. 2024

The foundation’s initiatives — since its establishment in 2021 — have included Back 2 School Givebacks, sporting events and the annual Huncho Day staged at his former high school. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

Rise of the far right France, Europe’s second largest economy, is just one of several Old World powers whose establishment is creaking under pressure from the hard right. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

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