obtain

1375–1425; late Middle English obteinen, from Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre “to take hold of,” equivalent to ob- ob- + -tinēre (combining form of tenēre “to hold”)

synonym study for obtain

1. See get.

OTHER WORDS FROM obtain

ob·tain·a·ble, adjectiveob·tain·a·bil·i·ty, nounob·tain·er, nounob·tain·ment, noun

pre·ob·tain, verb (used with object)pre·ob·tain·a·ble, adjectivere·ob·tain, verb (used with object)re·ob·tain·a·ble, adjectiveun·ob·tain·a·ble, adjectiveun·ob·tained, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use obtain in a sentence

Within a few days, we had obtained documents that showed payments the State Department had never previously disclosed.
The State Department wouldn’t reveal its payments to Mar-a-Lago. Here’s how we found them.|David Fahrenthold|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
It turns out that Ivanka had managed to obtain nonbinding pledges of “training opportunities” — not jobs — over five years.
The biggest Pinocchios of Election 2020|Glenn Kessler|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
By calculating where the quantum extremal surface lies, researchers obtain two important pieces of information.
The Most Famous Paradox in Physics Nears Its End|George Musser|October 29, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Storytelling is a powerful way to help kids learn about themselves, ask questions, obtain data and draw their own conclusions.
Six ways adults can help children make sense of a divisive election|Phyllis Fagell|October 29, 2020|Washington Post

Our common goal is to obtain the human rights that America has been denying us.
This year’s elections will decide whether America witnesses a third Reconstruction|David Love|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
The explorer, or settler, will not unfrequently have to sink wells for the obtainment of water for himself and his animals.
Shifts and Expedients of Camp Life, Travel & Exploration|W. B. Lord
Immediately on obtainment this juice is extremely cool and sweet to the taste.
Shifts and Expedients of Camp Life, Travel & Exploration|W. B. Lord
The two most commonly treated for its obtainment are Fraxinus rotundifolia and Ornus Europa.
Shifts and Expedients of Camp Life, Travel & Exploration|W. B. Lord
Implant in my heart the accomplishment of Thy precepts, the abandonment of evil deeds and the obtainment of Thy blessings.
Orthodox Daily Prayers|Anonymous
On the other hand, the idea of an obtainment is simply that of a gift.
The Theology of Holiness|Dougan Clark

British Dictionary definitions for obtain

obtain

/ (əbˈteɪn) /

verb

(tr) to gain possession of; acquire; get

(intr) to be customary, valid, or accepteda new law obtains in this case

(tr) archaic to arrive at

(intr) archaic to win a victory; succeed

Derived forms of obtain

obtainable, adjectiveobtainability, nounobtainer, nounobtainment, noun

Word Origin for obtain

C15: via Old French from Latin obtinēre to take hold of, from ob- (intensive) + tenēre to hold

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

obtain

OTHER WORDS FOR obtain

OPPOSITES FOR obtain

Origin of obtain

synonym study for obtain

OTHER WORDS FROM obtain

Words related to obtain

How to use obtain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obtain

Derived forms of obtain

Word Origin for obtain