obtain
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue; prevail.
the morals that obtained in Rome.
-
Archaic. to succeed.
verb
-
(tr) to gain possession of; acquire; get
-
(intr) to be customary, valid, or accepted
a new law obtains in this case
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archaic (tr) to arrive at
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archaic (intr) to win a victory; succeed
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The plot basically sticks to the first seven chapters of the 100-chapter novel, which concerns an engagingly impulsive monkey who obtains superpowers and, to protect his monkey community, enjoys one wily adventure after another.
From Los Angeles Times
The report from the 24 agents, entitled “A Pulse Check of the First Six Months,” was obtained by the New York Post.
From Salon
For the latest study, the team examined samples from normal mice and compared them with living cortical brain tissue obtained, with permission, from six people undergoing epilepsy surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
From Science Daily
According to camera footage obtained by Johnson, the bear appears to have a yellow tag on its left ear.
From Los Angeles Times
But it also came under repeated scrutiny over how it obtained financial donations from members and its links to politicians.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
