Definitions for obtain
əbˈteɪnob·tain

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.7 / 3 votes

1. obtainverb

   come into possession of

   "How did you obtain the visa?"

2. receive, get, find, obtain, incurverb

   receive a specified treatment (abstract)

   "These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation"; "His movie received a good review"; "I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions"

3. prevail, hold, obtainverb

   be valid, applicable, or true

   "This theory still holds"

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. obtainverb

   To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.

2. obtainverb

   To secure (that) a specific objective or state of affairs be reached.

3. obtainverb

   To prevail, be victorious; to succeed.

4. obtainverb

   To hold; to keep, possess or occupy.

5. obtainverb

   To exist or be the case; to hold true, be in force.

6. Etymology: From obtenir, optiner et al., and obtenir, from obtinere, from ob- + tenere.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. To OBTAINverb

   Etymology: obtenir, Fr. obtineo, Latin.

   1. To gain; to acquire; to procure.

   May be that I may obtain children by her. Gen. xvi. 2.

   We have obtained an inheritance. Eph. i. 11.

   Whatever once is denied them, they are certainly not to obtain by crying. John Locke, Education.

   The juices of the leaves are obtained by expression, which is the nutritious juice rendered somewhat more oleaginous. John Arbuthnot, on Aliments.

   2. To impetrate; to gain by the concession or excited kindness of another.

   In such our prayers cannot serve us as means to obtain the thing we desire. Richard Hooker, b. v. s. 48.

   By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb. ix. 12.

   If they could not be obtained of the proud and crafty tyrant, then to conclude peace with him upon any conditions. Richard Knolles, History of the Turks.

   Some pray for riches, riches they obtain;
   But watch’d by robbers for their wealth are slain. Dryden.

   The conclusion of the story I forbore, because I could not obtain from myself to shew Absalom unfortunate. Dryden.

2. To Obtainverb

   1. To continue in use.

   The Theodosian Code, several hundred years after Justinian’s time, did obtain in the western parts of Europe. Thomas Baker.

   2. To be established.

   Our impious use no longer shall obtain,
   Brothers no more, by brothers, shall be slain. Dryden.

   The situation of the sun and earth, which the theorist supposes, is so far from being preferable to this which at present obtains, that this hath infinitely the advantage of it. John Woodward.

   The general laws of fluidity, elasticity, and gravity, obtain in animal and inanimate tubes. George Cheyne, Phil. Prin.

   3. To prevail; to succeed.

   There is due from the judge to the advocate, some commendation where causes are fair pleaded; especially towards the side which obtaineth not. Francis Bacon.

ChatGPTRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. obtain

   Obtain generally refers to the act of acquiring, gaining or procuring something, usually through effort, work or request. It could encompass anything from information to physical objects.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. Obtainverb

   to hold; to keep; to possess

2. Obtainverb

   to get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way

3. Obtainverb

   to become held; to gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established; to subsist; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer

4. Obtainverb

   to prevail; to succeed

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:2.0 / 2 votes

1. Obtain

   ob-tān′, v.t. to lay hold of: to hold: to procure by effort: to gain: to keep possession of.—v.i. to be established: to continue in use: to become customary or prevalent: to hold good: (rare) to succeed.—adj. Obtain′able, that may be obtained, procured, or acquired.—ns. Obtain′er; Obtain′ment; Obten′tion, procurement.—Obtain to (Bacon), to attain to. [Fr.,—L. obtinēre—ob, upon, tenēre, to hold.]

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. obtain

   To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Obtain

   Obtain vs. Attain -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Obtain and Attain.

Matched Categories

1. • Change
   • Exist
   • Get

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'obtain' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2198

2. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'obtain' in Verbs Frequency: #175

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Anagrams for obtain »

1. batino

2. oatbin

How to pronounce obtain?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say obtain in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of obtain in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of obtain in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of obtain in a Sentence

1. Bob Goodlatte:

   In order to obtain a fiancee visa, it is required to demonstrate proof that the U.S. citizen and foreign national have met in person. However, Malik's immigration file does not show sufficient evidence for this requirement.

2. Stephanie Jones:

   Our concern rests in the possibility that the state's closure of driver license offices disproportionately constrains the ability of some residents to secure driving privileges, register personal and commercial vehicles, and obtain proper identification a critical requirement for access to essential activities such as opening a bank account and voting.

3. Thomas Paine:

   What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly... it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated.

4. Ian Harrison:

   ( JC) was understandably attracted to any relief she could obtain from a less than perfect domestic situation.

5. Jerrold Nadler:

   These include government officials who worked, or continue to work, in close proximity to the president, we will not rest until we obtain their testimony and documents.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=obtain
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Obtain
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=obtain
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obtain
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=obtain
7. ^ Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/59563/pg59563-images.html
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=obtain