establishment — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The act or process of establishing; a ratifying or ordaining; settlement; confirmation.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   foundation

   Antonyms

   abolition

   Examples

   Since their establishment of the company in 1984, they have grown into a global business.

   The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

2. The state of being established, founded, etc.; fixed state.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The firm celebrated twenty years since their establishment by updating their look.

3. That which is established; as a form of government, a permanent organization, business or force, or the place where one is permanently fixed for residence.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   foundation

   Examples

   Pedro's is a fine establishment serving a variety of delicious food.

   exposing the shabby parts of the establishment

4. The ruling class or authority group in a society; especially, an entrenched authority dedicated to preserving the status quo.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   It was clear that they viewed the British establishment as qualitatively different from the French establishment.

   It's often necessary to question the establishment to get things done.

   More examples (4)

   But there is also real opposition to Nato expansion - and even to Nato's continued existence after the Cold War. This is a view shared by a very large part of Russia's military and foreign affairs establishment.

   Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.

   The verdict means more upheaval for Thailand’s already turbulent political landscape, in which those pushing for change have frequently run afoul of the establishment – a small but powerful clique of military, royalist and business elites.

   This story of how American originality lost its way is arresting and well told. On an alternate timeline without Donald Trump in office dismantling the American scientific establishment and Elon Musk kneecapping the American state, it might have been the manifesto of a new politics.

5. The number of staff required to run a department or organisation (often used in the context of healthcare and other public services).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The cancer department has an establishment of 10 doctors and 30 nurses.

6. The institution and official status of a church as a state church, especially that of the Church of England and historically of Ireland.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Antonyms

   disestablishment

   Examples

   Not all Anglicans have supported establishment.

Noun

1. the act of forming or establishing something

   Synonyms

   constitutionformationorganizationorganisation

   Broader terms

   beginningstartcommencement

   Examples

   the constitution of a PTA group last year

   it was the establishment of his reputation

   More examples (1)

   he still remembers the organization of the club

2. an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

   Synonyms

   institution

   Broader terms

   organizationorganisation

3. the persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a body for the purpose of administering something

   Synonyms

   administrationgovernancegoverning bodybrassorganizationorganisation

   Broader terms

   body

   Examples

   he claims that the present administration is corrupt

   the governance of an association is responsible to its members

   More examples (1)

   he quickly became recognized as a member of the establishment

4. a public or private structure (business or governmental or educational) including buildings and equipment for business or residence

   Broader terms

   structureconstruction

5. any large organization

   Broader terms

   organizationorganisation

6. (ecology) the process by which a plant or animal becomes established in a new habitat

   Synonyms

   ecesis

   Broader terms

   natural processnatural actionactionactivity

7. the cognitive process of establishing a valid proof

   Synonyms

   validation

   Broader terms

   proofcogent evidence