establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment i-ˈsta-blish-mənt 

1

: something established: such as

a

: a settled arrangement

especially : a code of laws

b

: established church

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 capitalized : a group of social, economic, and political leaders who form a ruling class (as of a nation)

b

often capitalized : a controlling group

the literary establishment

3

a

: the act of establishing

b

: the state of being established

Synonyms

• joint
• parlor
• place
• salon

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

Each establishment receives between one and four routine inspections per year. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb. 2025

The lush, five-star, Orange County resort also boasts a striking coliseum pool, ocean-view golf, a handful of bar and dining establishments and plenty of picturesque walking paths. —Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2025

Fortunately, various new dining establishments have opened doors to provide nourishing, creative fare. —Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025

For years, he could be found eating lunch at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, an establishment whose nineteen-fifties stylings fit right in with his love of diners, jukeboxes, and other scraps of vintage Americana. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing establishment

• non-establishment
• re-establishment
• the establishment

Kids Definition

establishment

noun

es·​tab·​lish·​ment is-ˈtab-lish-mənt 

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