establish

[[t]ɪstæ̱blɪʃ[/t]]

♦♦

establishes, establishing, established

1) VERB If someone establishes something such as an organization, a type of activity, or a set of rules, they create it or introduce it in such a way that it is likely to last for a long time.

[V n] The UN has established detailed criteria for who should be allowed to vote...

[V n] The School was established in 1989 by an Italian professor.

Syn:

set up, found

2) V-RECIP If you establish contact with someone, you start to have contact with them. You can also say that two people, groups, or countries establish contact. [FORMAL]

[V n with n] We had already established contact with the museum...

[pl-n V] China and Saudi Arabia announced they were establishing formal diplomatic relations.

3) VERB If you establish that something is true, you discover facts that show that it is definitely true. [FORMAL]

[V that] Medical tests established that she was not their own child...

[V wh] It will be essential to establish how the money is being spent...

[V n] An autopsy was being done to establish the cause of death...

[it be V-ed that] It was established that the missile had landed on a test range in Australia.

Syn:

ascertain

Derived words:

established ADJ-GRADED usu ADJ n

That link is an established medical fact.

4) VERB If you establish yourself, your reputation, or a good quality that you have, you succeed in doing something, and achieve respect or a secure position as a result of this.

[V pron-refl] This is going to be the show where up-and-coming comedians will establish themselves...

[V pron-refl as n] He has established himself as a pivotal figure in US politics...

[V n] We shall fight to establish our innocence. [Also V n as n]