Definition of “establish” - English Dictionary

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“establish” in English

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establishverb

uk ​ /ɪˈstæb.lɪʃ/ us ​ /ɪˈstæb.lɪʃ/

establish verb (START)

B2 [ T often passive ] to start a company or organization that will continue for a long time:

The brewery was established in 1822.
These methods of working were established in the last century.

C1 [ T often passive ] to start having a relationship with, or communicating with another person, company, country, or organization:

There is a strong need to establish effective communication links between staff, parents, pupils, and external bodies.

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establish verb (ACCEPT)

C1 [ T ] to cause something or someone to be accepted in or familiar with a place, position, etc.:

His reputation for carelessness was established long before the latest problems arose.
He's established himself as a dependable source of information.
After three months we were well established in/at our new house/new jobs.
establish yourself C1 formal

› to be in a successful position over a long period of time:

He has established himself as the leading candidate in the election.

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establish verb (DISCOVER)

C2 [ T ] formal to discover or get proof of something:

Before we take any action we must establish the facts/truth.
[ + question word ] Can you establish what time she left home/whether she has left home.
[ + (that) ] We have established (that) she was born in 1900.

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

“establish” in American English

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establishverb [ T ]

us ​ /ɪˈstæb·lɪʃ/

establish verb [ T ] (START)

› to start something that will last for a long time, or to create or set something in a particular way:

He helped to establish the University of California at Berkeley.
Once we establish the price, we can begin to market the product.

establish verb [ T ] (ACCEPT)

› to cause someone or something to be accepted generally:

She’s established herself as a leading authority on urban problems.

establish verb [ T ] (PROVE)

› to prove something or show the state of something, esp. by collecting facts or information about it:

The coroner has not yet established the cause of death.
[ + question word ] We’re trying to establish what happened here.

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

“establish” in Business English

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establishverb

uk ​ /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/ us ​

› [ T, often passive ] to start a company or organization that will continue for a long time:

The firm was established in 1822.
The company intends to establish a presence in Korea.
establish yourself

› [ T ] to reach a successful position over a period of time:

He has established himself as one of the most active business leaders in the community.
The company quickly established itself as a recognized global brand.

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

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establish

Events such as this will continue to recur unless and until we establish the "polluter pays" principle in the fullest sense of these words.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The study should establish the true state of affairs and evaluate the actual impact of the use of these nets and other entangling gear on marine mammals.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
If we establish the nutrient profiles here, then we will not only be banning the health claims, but also the product itself.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
I think that passengers have a right to this, and if there were to be an imputation in respect of a company, then customers can establish that link themselves.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
I therefore believe that making operators adopt the necessary measures to prevent imminent threats of environmental damage and to establish compensation mechanisms for damage caused is justified, necessary and useful.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
I will end with two further challenges: we must put an end to the obsession with security and establish freedom of movement.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We need to develop controls on satellite positioning and improve logbooks, and each state must establish substantial and adequate human and material resources.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Fundamentally, the draft directive does not in fact seek to establish substantive conditions for expulsion, but only deals with the mutual recognition of expulsion decisions already in force.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
In this regard, nonetheless, we need to establish the length of stay, methods of monitoring their studies, and procedures for non-renewal of the student residence permit.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
As regards control measures, in the light of your question we are consulting the other institutions to establish whether there are things which remain to be done.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
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