1. To gain with effort
   "she attained her goal despite setbacks";
   - achieve, accomplish, reach
    
2. Get to a certain state, level, or point in time
   "This car can attain a speed of 140 miles per hour";
   - reach, hit
    
3. Be at the destination after some time, either real or abstract
   "The water attained the doorstep";
   - reach, make, hit, arrive at, gain

Derived forms: attains, attained, attaining

Type of: act, arrive, bring home the bacon [informal], come, come through, come up trumps [Brit, informal], deliver the goods, get, move, succeed, turn up trumps [Brit, informal], win