attain
verb (used with object)
to reach, achieve, or accomplish; gain; obtain.
had attained
-
past perfectof attain.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
He had attained the rank of Hujjat al-Islam, but was presented as ayatollah -- a higher rank held by his father and by revolutionary leader Ruhollah Khomeini -- upon his appointment as supreme leader.
From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026
By my father’s generation, my family had attained middle-class status and moved to the Long Island suburbs.
From Slate ● May 29, 2025
Among Trekkies, the long-lost first starship model had attained a mythical status.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 10, 2024
Back on that October evening, Morgan Rogers’ late goal at the Riverside Stadium sentenced the Blues to defeat and nudged them out of the play-off spot they had attained under the recently-sacked John Eustace.
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2024
Yes, we had a few writers, singers, educators, actors, actresses and so on, but few had attained the international stature of their American counterparts.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
