obtain

[ uhb-teyn ]

See synonyms for: obtain obtained obtaining obtainable on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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.
Obsolete. to attain or reach.

verb (used without object)

to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue; prevail: the morals that obtained in Rome.
Archaic. to succeed.

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- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”

synonym study For obtain

1. See get.

Other words for obtain

1	gain, achieve, earn, win, attain

See synonyms for obtain on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for obtain

1	lose, forgo

See antonyms for obtain on Thesaurus.com

Other words from obtain

ob·tain·a·ble, adjective
ob·tain·a·bil·i·ty, noun
ob·tain·er, noun
ob·tain·ment, noun
pre·ob·tain, verb (used with object)
pre·ob·tain·a·ble, adjective
re·ob·tain, verb (used with object)
re·ob·tain·a·ble, adjective
un·ob·tain·a·ble, adjective
un·ob·tained, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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 accepted: a new law obtains in this case

(tr) archaic to arrive at
(intr) archaic to win a victory; succeed

Origin of obtain

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

Derived forms of obtain

obtainable, adjective
obtainability, noun
obtainer, noun
obtainment, 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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