Definition of: establish

(es·tab′lish) v.t.
1. To settle or fix firmly; make stable or permanent.
2. To set up; found, as an institution or business.
3. To set up; install (oneself or someone else) in business, a position, etc.: to establish oneself in an apartment.
4. To make firm; build up securely: to establish a reputation.
5. To put into effect permanently; ordain, as laws.
6. To gain acceptance for; prove, as a theory or argument.
7. To appoint (a church) as a national or state institution.
8. In card games, to gain command of (a suit). See synonyms under CONFIRM, INSTITUTE, MAKE, RATIFY, SET, SETTLE. [<OF establiss-, stem of establir <L stabilire <stabilis STABLE¹]
—es·tab′lish·er noun