establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment i-ˈsta-blish-mənt How to pronounce establishment (audio)
1
: something established: such as
a
: a settled arrangement
especially : a code of laws
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

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 The political establishment and San Diego media often treated the then-chief deputy city attorney as an afterthought. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 To get there, rights campaigns often had to fight both the Democratic and the Republican establishments. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 Historic neighborhoods swirl together with new and trendy establishments to create a culturally rich experience that’ll keep you entertained for the duration of your stay. Nina Kahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024 Like many of the other influencers who have tried the carnivore diet, Barker says her negative experiences with the medical establishment largely drove her to find solutions for herself, and to tell her story on social media. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024 That includes on-site employees, a contractor of an establishment or an employee of a third-party security firm hired by an establishment. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 In a statement after the arrest, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said that Broad Ripple bars have a responsibility to ensure their patrons have a safe experience in their establishments. Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Mar. 2024 Workers got the new minimum wage, which can increase annually with inflation, and establishment of the council to examine working conditions. Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024 During a heated, hours-long meeting, Ferrer listened as employees raised longstanding concerns within the inspection branch, responsible for safeguarding the county’s restaurants, rental properties, pet stores and massage establishments, among other facilities. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'establishment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of establishment was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near establishment

Cite this Entry

“Establishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/establishment. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

establishment

noun
es·​tab·​lish·​ment is-ˈtab-lish-mənt How to pronounce establishment (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on establishment

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