obtain

verb

ob·​tain əb-ˈtān How to pronounce obtain (audio)
äb-
obtained; obtaining; obtains

transitive verb

: to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort
The information was difficult to obtain.
We obtained a copy of the original letter.

intransitive verb

1
: to be generally recognized or established : prevail
Those ideas no longer obtain for our generation.
a greater degree of free expression than usually obtains in film productionRoger Manvell
2
archaic : succeed
obtainability noun
obtainable adjective
obtainer noun
obtainment noun

Did you know?

If you have difficulty choosing whether to use obtain or attain in a sentence, don’t worry, we get it. Both can mean “to get” or “to acquire,” and in some situations can be used synonymously, but one or the other might be more appropriate depending on what is being acquired and how. One clue is their respective etymologies: obtain comes to us via Anglo-French from the Latin verb obtinēre, meaning “to hold on to, possess,” while attain’s Anglo-French ancestor is ateindre, meaning “to reach” or “to accomplish.” Accordingly, obtain is usually the word used when you are acquiring, by planned effort, a tangible object—something you can hold. “We are having trouble obtaining the supplies we need” sounds natural, for example, while “Have you attained the sugar and flour I asked for?” does not. Reflecting its roots (and also implying effort), attain is often used in the same way as achieve, as in “After decades of hard work she attained her goal of earning a PhD.” Of course, one can also obtain intangible things, such as power or information, so consider this advice something to hold onto and consider when the moment arises—you needn’t cling to it.

Examples of obtain in a Sentence

The information may be difficult to obtain. We obtained a copy of the original letter. These ideas no longer obtain for our generation.
Recent Examples on the Web According to a complaint obtained by CBS News earlier this week, several passengers who were on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 are now suing the airline and Boeing for $1 billion. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 They aren’t brought into the world to obtain the safe passage of unconditional love and care. Holly Jones, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Only two people obtained permanent housing and more than half of those who went into a shelter later left and were presumed to have returned to the street. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Based on the two incidents, police obtained a gun violence restraining order later in the day on Feb. 28 to seize any other weapons. Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 According to the arrest warrant obtained by CBS affiliate KLAS-TV, Rodimer allegedly became upset after Tapp offered Rodimer's stepdaughter cocaine. CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 For some Americans who are obese but don’t have diabetes, obtaining those drugs has become difficult, if not impossible. Bryan Mena, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 Katie McCown, the center's senior manager, said Local First's founder, Kimber Lanning, noticed that funding to address the COVID pandemic was in abundance, but there were noticeable gaps in who obtained it. The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 Most of these people have obtained other sources of coverage, including an employer plan or an exchange plan, and thus lack incentives to return the paperwork. Brian Blase, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre to hold on to, possess, obtain, from ob- in the way + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near obtain

Cite this Entry

“Obtain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obtain. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

obtain

verb
ob·​tain əb-ˈtān How to pronounce obtain (audio)
äb-
1
: to gain or acquire usually by planning or effort
2
: to be generally recognized or established : prevail sense 3b
good manners obtained
obtainable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on obtain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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