WordValeestablishment
the powerful people and institutions of a society
In more detail
1. (noun) an organization, business, or institution; any company or place of business
2. (noun) the process of starting or creating something, or making it official
3. (noun) the people in power who control society or an institution (usually used with "the")
Examples
- 1. That restaurant is a fine dining establishment.
- 2. The establishment of the new university took five years.
- 3. The establishment doesn't want to change the old rules.
How to use establishment
Establishment has three distinct uses: it can refer generally to any organization or business (a small establishment), to the founding or founding process of something (the establishment of the company), or to entrenched power structures and institutions (criticizing the establishment). In the third sense, it usually takes the definite article 'the' and carries a sometimes critical or outsider perspective.
Common phrases
- the establishment
- establishment figure
- establishment views
- educational establishment
- establishment of a business
Synonyms
institution · organization · company · business · enterprise
Word family
establish (verb) · established (adjective) · establishing (verb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse the three senses or use 'establishment' as a verb when the verb form is 'establish'. Also, 'the establishment' should not be pluralized when referring to power structures.
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