es·tab·lished
i-ˈsta-blisht
1
: accepted and recognized or followed by many people
established rules/customs/traditions
2
a
: successful for a long period of time and widely known
an established author/artist
an established law firm
… people with Ph.D.s have been credentialed by established experts in their fields—Louis Menand
b
: growing or flourishing successfully
an established plant
an established flower garden
3
of a church or religion
: officially recognized and accepted by the government of a country
Some of the religious groups lasted, but at a price. Their dogma hardened, and they developed organizational structures that are mirror images of established churches.—O. B. Hardison, Jr.
established
2 of 2past tense and past participle of establish
Cite this Entry
“Established.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/established. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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