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• establishment
  establishment

  noun

  the act or an instance of establishing.
• Establishment
  Establishment

  noun

  a group or class of people having institutional authority within a society, esp those who control the civil service, the government, the armed forces, and the Church: usually identified with a conservative outlook

establishment

American  

[ih-stab-lish-muhnt] / ɪˈstæb lɪʃ mənt /

noun

• establishments
  plural

1. the act or an instance of establishing.

2. the state or fact of being established.

3. something established; a constituted order or system.

4. Often the Establishment

   1. the existing power structure in society; the dominant groups in society and their customs or institutions; institutional authority.

      The Establishment believes exploring outer space is worth any tax money spent.

   2. the dominant group in a field of endeavor, organization, etc..

      the literary Establishment.

5. a household; place of residence including its furnishings, grounds, etc.

6. a place of business together with its employees, merchandise, equipment, etc.

7. a permanent civil, military, or other force or organization.

8. an institution, as a school, hospital, etc.

9. the recognition by a state of a church as the state church.

10. the church so recognized, especially the Church of England.

11. Archaic. a fixed or settled income.

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establishment ¹ British  

/ ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt /

noun

1. the act of establishing or state of being established

2. 1. a business organization or other large institution

   2. the place where a business is carried on

3. the staff and equipment of a commercial or other organization

4. the approved size, composition, and equipment of a military unit, government department, business division, etc, as formally promulgated

5. any large organization, institution, or system

6. a household or place of residence

7. a body of employees or servants

8. (modifier) belonging to or characteristic of the Establishment; orthodox or conservative

   the establishment view of history

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Establishment ² British  

/ ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt /

noun

1. a group or class of people having institutional authority within a society, esp those who control the civil service, the government, the armed forces, and the Church: usually identified with a conservative outlook

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Usage

What does establishment mean? Establishment commonly refers to the official start or founding of something, such as a law, business, or other organization, as in It has been 200 years since the establishment of this great nation. It is the noun form of the verb establish, which has many meanings but most commonly means to found, institute, or bring into being. Things that have been established are called establishments, especially businesses, as in I try to buy from local establishments whenever possible. Establishment is also used more specifically to refer collectively to the existing power structure in a society and its dominant institutions, as in That kind of radical thinking is frowned upon by the establishment. This use is often negative. It can also be used in a similar way to refer to the dominant group in a particular field, as in the medical establishment. In both of these cases, Establishment is often capitalized.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonestablishment
  noun
• reestablishment
  noun
• superestablishment
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• establishments
  plural

Etymology

Origin of establishment

First recorded in 1475–85, and in 1920–25 establishment for def. 4a; establish + -ment

Explanation

Kids were more comfortable in school after the establishment of a no-tolerance bullying policy in the cafeteria. Establishment means setting up or something that has been set up. In the 1960s, the youth movement took on what they called "the establishment," by which they meant the way society was set up and organized. Their sentiments could be summed up in a word that is rumored to be one of the longest in the English language, if it actually exists: disestablishmentarianism.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

establishment Establishment establishments

"Today the voters in Clacton have stuck two fingers up at the entire political establishment," Farage said.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

The joint statement also called for the establishment of "mechanisms for transparency, traceability, and auditing" to make sure the funds are properly used.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

He suspended his campaign amid low poll numbers, then rejoined the race with less than a month before election day after establishment frontrunner Lt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

After a brief honeymoon period, Piker was always going to find himself at odds with the establishment.

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026

We went a couple slow, dark miles without seeing another vehicle or any welcoming roadside establishment.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

The show, called Face of the Establishment, is at the Pleasance on 26 August.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Midlife Snoop is the Establishment, a company pillar.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026

The Constitution has the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from “establishing” a national religion.

From Salon ● Dec. 17, 2024

Establishment of the public-private research center is a coup for Southern California that “will cement California’s global, economic, scientific and technical dominance into the 22nd century and beyond,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2024

Mother’s being a midwife would subvert the Medical Establishment, but in order to be a midwife she needed a phone.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

He cited Bathhouse and Othership, but those hip wellness places are brick-and-mortar establishments, not pop-up events.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

Officials have linked this year's widespread outbreak to lettuce imported from Taylor Farms in Mexico, a key supplier for many food establishments in the US.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

The Confederation of Businesses of Ceuta has advised shops and other commercial establishments to remain closed "until security can be guaranteed".

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

He has been surprised to see it on the menu not only at Western-style eateries but also more casual Chinese establishments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

The House of the White Rose was one of the more luxurious establishments on West Stave.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Related Words

• formation
• formulation
• founding
• inauguration
• installation
• institution