obtain

American  

[uhb-teyn] / əbˈteɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request.

   to obtain permission;

   to obtain a better income.

   Synonyms:

   attain, win, earn, achieve, gain

   Antonyms:

   forgo, lose

2. Obsolete. to attain or reach.

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verb (used without object)

1. to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue; prevail.

   the morals that obtained in Rome.

2. Archaic. to succeed.

obtain British  

/ əbˈteɪn /

verb

1. (tr) to gain possession of; acquire; get

2. (intr) to be customary, valid, or accepted

   a new law obtains in this case

3. archaic (tr) to arrive at

4. archaic (intr) to win a victory; succeed

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Related Words

See get.

Other Word Forms

• obtainability noun
• obtainable adjective
• obtainer noun
• obtainment noun
• preobtain verb (used with object)
• preobtainable adjective
• reobtain verb (used with object)
• reobtainable adjective
• unobtainable adjective
• unobtained adjective

Etymology

Origin of obtain

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English obteinen, from Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre “to take hold of,” equivalent to ob- ob- ( def. ) + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”

Example Sentences

That eventually led him to obtaining a law degree in San Francisco, where after an intern stint as a public defender, he decided he wanted to be a trial attorney, fighting in court.

From Los Angeles Times

"I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light," Wasserman said in a statement obtained by news agency AFP.

From BBC

The “vast majority” of the workers who were detained have obtained new visas and are back in Georgia helping finish the plant’s construction, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nasrul said that the men who tricked him took his passport and that he had sought his embassy’s help in obtaining papers that would allow him to leave the country.

From The Wall Street Journal

In practical terms, sanctuary policies mean that undocumented migrants are more readily able to obtain identity documents and driving licenses for example.

From Barron's

Related Words

• access
• achieve
• attain
• collect
• earn
• gain
• gather
• glean
• have
• pick up
• procure
• purchase
• reach
• realize
• reap
• receive
• recover
• retrieve
• secure
• seize