establishment

noun

Synonyms of establishment
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 Establishment : a group of social, economic, and political leaders who form a ruling class (as of a nation)
b
often Establishment : 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tarrant County inspects and scores all food-service establishments in the county except for those in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026 Those candidates can simultaneously campaign as Democrats and as critics of the Democratic establishment. Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026 The government’s achievement caps a political transformation that has moved the Italian leader from outsider to establishment figure since becoming Italy’s first female prime minister in 2022. Silvia Stellacci, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Though Argentina was never a British colony, British influence and money played a crucial role in the growth of the Argentine state in the decades after its establishment in 1816. ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for establishment

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Establishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/establishment. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

establishment

noun
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
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