obtain

American  

[uhb-teyn] / əbˈteɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request.

   to obtain permission;

   to obtain a better income.

   Synonyms:

   attain, win, earn, achieve, gain

   Antonyms:

   forgo, lose

2. Obsolete. to attain or reach.

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verb (used without object)

1. to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue; prevail.

   the morals that obtained in Rome.

2. Archaic. to succeed.

obtain British  

/ əbˈteɪn /

verb

1. (tr) to gain possession of; acquire; get

2. (intr) to be customary, valid, or accepted

   a new law obtains in this case

3. archaic (tr) to arrive at

4. archaic (intr) to win a victory; succeed

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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

While UPS hasn’t filed a similar suit, the company has said it would support customers in obtaining tariff refunds “due from the U.S. government after a refund process is established by the authorities.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Both pieces of information could be obtained from a small skin sample collected from the animals.

From Science Daily

Albanese backed action "to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."

From Barron's

In the U.K., the company continues to operate under a restricted license as it works with regulators to obtain a full license.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There are currently no evacuation points,” a recording obtained by ABC stated.

From Salon

Related Words

• access
• achieve
• attain
• collect
• earn
• gain
• gather
• glean
• have
• pick up
• procure
• purchase
• reach
• realize
• reap
• receive
• recover
• retrieve
• secure
• seize