1. Set up or lay the groundwork for
   "establish a new department";
   - found, plant, constitute, institute
    
2. Start a new organization or institution
   "They established a charitable foundation";
   - set up, found, launch
    
3. Make clear the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment
   "The experiment established the instability of the compound";
   - prove, demonstrate, show, shew [Brit, archaic]
    
4. Create or put in place (rules, laws, or conditions)
   "establish laws";
   - lay down, make
    
5. Bring about
   "The trompe l'oeil-illusion establishes depth";
   - give
    
6. Place
   "They established the new computer system in the office";
   - install, instal [Brit], set up
    
7. Build or create something abstract
   "establish a reputation";
   - build
    
8. Use as a basis for; found on
   "establish a claim on some observation";
   - base, ground, found

Derived forms: established, establishing, establishes

Type of: affirm, confirm, corroborate, create, father, initiate, instal [Brit], install, make, open, open up, originate, pioneer, put in, set up, start, substantiate, support, sustain

Antonym: abolish, confute

Encyclopedia: Establish