ascertain
to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine: to ascertain the facts.
Archaic. to make certain, clear, or definitely known.
Origin of ascertain
1Other words from ascertain
- as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjective
- as·cer·tain·a·bly, adverb
- as·cer·tain·er, noun
- as·cer·tain·ment, noun
- non·as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjective
- non·as·cer·tain·a·ble·ness, noun
- non·as·cer·tain·a·bly, adverb
- non·as·cer·tain·ment, noun
- pre·as·cer·tain, verb (used with object)
- pre·as·cer·tain·ment, noun
- un·as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjective
- un·as·cer·tain·a·bly, adverb
- un·as·cer·tained, adjective
- well-as·cer·tained, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ascertain in a sentence
Previous Gaia data sets have been used to ascertain the mass of the Milky Way and how many sun-like stars might be orbited by Earth-light planets.
This is the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way ever made | Neel Patel | December 3, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewA discrete glance to ascertain all’s well is the better check-in stance.
At Moon Rabbit, chef Kevin Tien lures fans to the Wharf | Tom Sietsema | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostI parked and inspected the damage, still trying to ascertain the cause.
This is especially true for online video where the lack of text makes it harder to ascertain the riskiness of the content.
As YouTube adopts new standards, the transition from brand safety to suitability is accelerating | Seb Joseph | October 22, 2020 | DigidayChief business officer Jeremi Gordon said it was “difficult to ascertain exactly what the impact of the Facebook boycott” might have had on Snap’s revenue.
How the world’s biggest media companies fared through the ongoing crisis in Q2 | Lara O'Reilly | August 12, 2020 | Digiday
"This is hours old and the full facts are still to be ascertained as those involved are debriefed," officials said.
Day 2: Breaking News About Osama bin Laden's Death | The Daily Beast | May 3, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTRich natives and Chinese lost large sums of money, the total of which cannot be ascertained.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanThe intention to hinder, delay or defraud creditors is a question of fact to be ascertained by proper judicial inquiry.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesAs soon as he had reached the south gate he had ascertained this by a glance at the gravel shoulder of the road.
There are in fact no experiments in which the effects of a purely mineral soil have been ascertained.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonWhen the question comes before a court, it seeks after the intention of the parties, and is guided by it when ascertained.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
British Dictionary definitions for ascertain
/ (ˌæsəˈteɪn) /
to determine or discover definitely
archaic to make certain
Origin of ascertain
1Derived forms of ascertain
- ascertainable, adjective
- ascertainably, adverb
- ascertainment, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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