WordWeb Online

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. Find unexpectedly
   "she attained a goldmine";
   - fall upon, strike, come upon, light upon, chance upon, come across, chance on, happen upon, discover
    
4. Be at the destination after some time, either real or abstract; come to a given position
   "The water attained the doorstep";
   - reach, make, hit, arrive at, gain

Derived forms: attained, attaining, attains

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