obtain
//əbˈteɪn//
formalForms
- present (v1)
- obtain
- past (v2)
- obtained
- past participle (v3)
- obtained
- present participle
- obtaining
- 3rd person singular
- obtains
Definitions
1.To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.
- We obtained accurate data from the survey.
- Applicants must obtain a permit before construction.
- And a certayne ruler axed him: sayinge: Goode Master: what ought I to do, to obtaine eternall lyfe?
2.To exist or be the case; to hold true, be in force.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1657
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Common
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English obteinen
From Anglo-Norman obtenir, optiner et al., and Middle French obtenir
From Latin obtinēre (“to gain, achieve, succeed, possess”)
From ob- + tenēre (“to hold”).