establishment

plural establishments

1. countableuncountableThe act or process of establishing; a ratifying or ordaining; settlement; confirmation.

   Since their establishment of the company in 1984, they have grown into a global business.

   1 more example

   The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

   1787, Article Seven of the United States Constitution

   Synonyms: foundation · Antonyms: abolition

2. countableuncountableThe state of being established, founded, etc.; fixed state.

   The firm celebrated twenty years since their establishment by updating their look.

3. countableuncountableThat which is established; as a form of government, a permanent organization, business or force, or the place where one is permanently fixed for residence.

   exposing the shabby parts of the establishment

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   Pedro's is a fine establishment serving a variety of delicious food.

   Synonyms: foundation

4. countableuncountableThe ruling class or authority group in a society; especially, an entrenched authority dedicated to preserving the status quo.

   It's often necessary to question the establishment to get things done.

   5 more examples

   It was clear that they viewed the British establishment as qualitatively different from the French establishment.

   But there is also real opposition to Nato expansion - and even to Nato's continued existence after the Cold War. This is a view shared by a very large part of Russia's military and foreign affairs establishment.

   2002 November 22, Steven Eke, “Russia's rocky relationship with Nato”, in BBC World Service

   Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.

   2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21

   The verdict means more upheaval for Thailand’s already turbulent political landscape, in which those pushing for change have frequently run afoul of the establishment – a small but powerful clique of military, royalist and business elites.

   2024 August 14, “Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin removed from office in shock court ruling”, in CNN

   This story of how American originality lost its way is arresting and well told. On an alternate timeline without Donald Trump in office dismantling the American scientific establishment and Elon Musk kneecapping the American state, it might have been the manifesto of a new politics.

   2025 March 18, Samuel Moyn, “Can Democrats Learn to Dream Big Again?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 27 Mar 2025

5. countableuncountableThe number of staff required to run a department or organisation (often used in the context of healthcare and other public services).

   The cancer department has an establishment of 10 doctors and 30 nurses.

6. countableuncountableChristianityThe institution and official status of a church as a state church, especially that of the Church of England and historically of Ireland.

   Not all Anglicans have supported establishment.

   Antonyms: disestablishment

1. Any particular establishment (ruling class) that is construed as the sole one within a given context (such as a specific country).

   By the late 1780s, it was clear that many French had had it with the Establishment.

   1 more example

   Maybe there was a time when readers would sit still for sober, dull opinion pieces — history’s most boring headline, “Worthwhile Canadian Initiative,” was the title of a Times op-ed — because they were seen as representing the views of The Establishment. And I have the feeling that Times management still thinks it’s living in that world. But in today’s wide-open information (and misinformation) environment, boring writing just vanishes without a trace.

   2025 January 28, Paul Krugman, “Departing the New York Times. I left to stay true to my byline”, in The Contrarian