establishment

Etymology

Old French establissement, (Modern French établissement) from the verb establir.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: estab‧lish‧ment

Noun

establishment (countable and uncountable, plural establishments)

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

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

   • 1787, Article Seven of the United States Constitution

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

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

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

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

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

   Exposing the shabby parts of the establishment.

4. (slang) The establishment: the ruling class or authority group in a society; especially, an entrenched authority dedicated to preserving the status quo. Sometimes capitalized: the Establishment.
   • 2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:

     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.

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

Etymology

Borrowed from English establishment.

Noun

establishment

1. (sometimes pejorative) (the) establishment
   • 2017, Jens-Martin Eriksen, Frederik Stjernfelt, Adskillelsens politik, Lindhardt og Ringhof →ISBN

     Forestillingen om klasse frem for religion er også farlig for establishmentet her i landet, den ville kunne få hele det politiske system til at bryde sammen, hvis de fattige malajer, muslimerne, ville indse, at de har mere til fælles med de fattige ...

   • 2015, Jan Guillou, Den demokratiske terrorist, Modtryk →ISBN

     Marxistleninisterne eksisterede næsten ikke mere, de fleste gamle kammerater var blevet en del af establishmentet, og den antiimperialistiske bevægelse var stort set gået i sig selv igen.

Etymology

Borrowed from English establishment.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛsˈtɛ.blɪʃ.mənt/, /ɛsˈtɛ.blɪs.mənt/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: es‧ta‧blish‧ment

Noun

establishment n (plural establishments, diminutive establishmentje n)

1. establishment, elite (ruling authority or class)

Noun

establishment

1. (informal) establishment (ruling class)

Etymology

From English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛs.ta.bliʃ.mɑ̃/

Noun

establishment m (plural establishments)

1. establishment (ruling authority)

Noun

establishment m (plural establishments)

1. establishment (ruling authority)