established

American  

[ih-stab-lisht] / ɪˈstæb lɪʃt /

adjective

1. founded, built, or brought into existence.

   The organization is getting ready to announce the first recipient of a newly established award recognizing outstanding service to the community.

2. settled or installed relatively permanently in a position, place, business, etc..

   The resort is a long established vacation destination with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality personal service to their guests.

3. proven valid or true.

   Knowledge about the venom of the spider that bit her is sparse, and there is no established treatment for it.

4. accepted or recognized.

   More recent research, however, contradicts the established narrative.

   Experimental psychology is an established field with a long history of research involving humans.

5. firm or settled in habit or condition.

   Her established dislike of poetry meant she rarely received it for review.

6. brought about, appointed, enacted, or ordained.

   Requirements include being covered by federally established health insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of establish.

Other Word Forms

• quasi-established adjective

Etymology

Origin of established

First recorded in 1350–1400; establish ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; establish ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Explanation

Something or someone well established is well known, totally trusted and usually has a proven track record of success. Becoming established doesn't happen overnight. You've got to put in the time and effort to prove yourself, make connections and build a good reputation. So it makes sense that this adjective is related to the verb establish, which means to "create, set up, or prove." Established is a handy word to know, especially when you're looking for a dentist — you probably won't want to try Dr. Lovedrill until his practice is more established.

Example Sentences

The Ningde, Fujian-based company is also well-placed to cash in on its pivot toward energy storage systems, another part of the broader battery industry it has established a dominant position in, analysts said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Others — often referred to as “me too” drugs — are chemically or mechanistically similar to existing therapies, designed to compete within established categories rather than to open new frontiers.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The health board is Wales' largest, but has been beset by serious problems since it was established in 2009, spending most of its existence in special measures - the highest level of Welsh government oversight.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“We view Amazon’s announcement…positively as it looks to compete against the much larger and more established Starlink,” wrote Truist analyst Youssef Squali in a Tuesday report.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

In 1851, guided by the strength of Kate’s mediumship at further séances, Partridge and about twenty other men and women established one of the first organized Spiritualist groups in America.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• chartered
• completed
• founded
• incorporated
• initiated
• organized
• ratified
• set up
• settled