To start something, such as an organization, system, or rule, in a way that is meant to last. It can also mean to prove or show something clearly.
From Old French *establir* 'to set up, found', from Latin *stabilire* 'to make stable', from *stabilis* 'firm, steady'. The core idea is making something stable and lasting.
Establish doesn’t just mean 'start'; it means 'start so it sticks'. That’s why we talk about establishing a habit or establishing the facts. The word suggests that beginnings matter most when they’re built to survive pressure and time.
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