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obtain - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'obtain' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Obtain [ v. i.]
- 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.
- To prevail; to succeed.
2 . Obtain [ v. t.]
- To hold; to keep; to possess.
- To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way.

Meaning of 'obtain' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . obtain [ v]
Meaning (1):
- receive a specified treatment (abstract)
Example in sentence:
  • His movie received a good review;
  • I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions;
  • These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
Meaning (2):
- come into possession of
Example in sentence:
  • How did you obtain the visa?
Meaning (3):
- be valid, applicable, or true
Example in sentence:
  • This theory still holds

Nearby Words:

obtainable obtained obtainer obtaining obtainment obtected obtemper obtemperate obtend obtended

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