English Explanatory Dictionary

establishment

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The act or process of establishing; a ratifying or ordaining; settlement; confirmation.
  2. The state of being established, founded, etc.; fixed state.
  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.
  4. The ruling class or authority group in a society; especially, an entrenched authority dedicated to preserving the status quo.
  5. The number of staff required to run a department or organisation (often used in the context of healthcare and other public services).
  6. The institution and official status of a church as a state church, especially that of the Church of England and historically of Ireland.
name
  1. Any particular establishment (ruling class) that is construed as the sole one within a given context (such as a specific country).

Pronunciation

/ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/ en-us-establishment.ogg

Word forms

establishment establishments

Etymology

From Middle English *establishment, stablishment, stablisshement, from Old French establissement (Modern French établissement), from the verb establir. Equivalent to establish + -ment.

Synonyms

foundation

Antonyms

abolition disestablishment

Related words

antidisestablishmentarianism powers that be Establishment

Derived words

antiestablishment anti-establishment antiestablishmentarianism coestablishment counterestablishment deestablishment eating establishment establishmentarian establishment clause establishment growth establishmentism establishment of the port establishment Republican freedom of establishment nonestablishment peace establishment preestablishment re-establishment reestablishment war establishment
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