Meaning of “gain” in the English Dictionary

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"gain" in English

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gainverb [ I or T ]

uk ​ /ɡeɪn/ us ​ /ɡeɪn/

gain verb [ I or T ] (GET)

B1 to get something that is useful, that gives you an advantage, or that is in some way positive, especially over a period of time:

The mayor has gained a lot of support from the teacher's union.
What do you hope to gain from the course?
Alternative medicine has only just started to gain respectability in our society.
[ + two objects ] It was her performances in Aida that gained her an international reputation as a soprano.
After you've gained some experience teaching abroad, you can come home and get a job.
From the late 19th century, European powers began to gain control of parts of the Ottoman Empire.
She's certainly gained (in) confidence over the last couple of years.
The data exists all right - the difficulty is in gaining access to it.
The thieves gained entrance through an upstairs window that was left open.
gain ground

C1 If a political party or an idea or belief gains ground, it becomes more popular or accepted:

The Republicans are gaining ground in the southern states.

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gain verb [ I or T ] (INCREASE)

B1 to increase in weight, speed, height, or amount:

I gained a lot of weight while I was on holiday.
The car gained speed going down the hill.
Good economic indicators caused the share index to gain (by) ten points.
The campaign has been gaining momentum over the past few weeks.

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Phrasal verb(s)

gain on sb/sth

gainnoun [ C or U ]

uk ​ /ɡeɪn/ us ​ /ɡeɪn/

gain noun [ C or U ] (SOMETHING OBTAINED)

C1 an occasion when you get something useful or positive:

Whatever the objections to this sort of treatment, the gains in terms of the number of lives saved are substantial.
The minister was sacked for abusing power for his personal gain.

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gain noun [ C or U ] (INCREASE)

C1 an increase in something such as size, weight, or amount:

Side effects of the drugs may include tiredness, headaches, or weight gain.
After deducting costs, we still made a net gain of £5,000.
Oil prices rose again today after yesterday's gains.

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(Definition of “gain” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"gain" in American English

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gainverb

us ​ /ɡeɪn/

gain verb (OBTAIN)

› [ T ] to obtain something useful, advantageous, or positive:

He gained control of the business.
You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
He hoped to gain an advantage by beginning his campaign early.

gain verb (INCREASE)

› [ I/T ] to increase in weight, speed, height, or amount:

[ T ] I’ve gained weight, and I’m going on a diet.
[ T ] The campaign has been gaining momentum ever since the television ads started to run.
[ I ] Step on the gas – they’re gaining on us (= getting nearer to us).

› [ I/T ] If a clock or watch gains or gains time, it works too quickly and shows a time that is later than the real time.

gain
noun [ C/U ] us ​ /ɡeɪn/

›

[ U ] The commissioner denied having used his office for personal gain.
gain
noun [ C/U ] us ​ /ɡeɪn/

›

[ C ] Stock prices rose again today after yesterday’s gains.

(Definition of “gain” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"gain" in Business English

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gainnoun [ C or U ]

uk ​ /ɡeɪn/ us ​

› an increase in size, weight, amount, etc.:

Having deducted costs we still made a net gain of five thousand pounds.
Stocks ended the day with a moderate gain.

› something useful or good that you get for yourself:

He was fired for abusing his position for his own personal gain.
See also
book gain
capital gain
short-term gain
paper gain

gainverb [ I or T ]

uk ​ /ɡeɪn/ us ​

› to increase in amount or value:

On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones Industrials gained more than 52 points.

› to get something that is important or gives you an advantage, especially over a period of time:

Most temporary employees say they gained new abilities through their assignments.
gain access to sth

› to be allowed to use or receive something:

Every day, more citizens gain access to the Web and each other.

› MARKETING to be able to sell a product in a particular place for the first time:

He is willing to invest millions of dollars in cooperative ventures in China if he can gain access to the market.
gain currency

› to become more commonly known or accepted:

Two ideas for constructing a tax reduction have been gaining currency in internal debates.
gain ground

› to become more popular or successful:

gain ground on sb/sth After three decades the carmaker is actually gaining ground on the competition.
Even as companies in the US are gaining ground overseas, they are also sending more American-made products abroad.

› FINANCE to increase in value:

gain ground against sth The dollar has been gaining ground against the yen in overseas trading.

(Definition of “gain” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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