obtain

obtain is on the Academic Word List.

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /əbˈteɪn/

• Audio (US)

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Verb

Plain form obtain

Third-person singular obtains

Past tense obtained

Past participle obtained

Present participle obtaining

Obtain is on the Academic Vocabulary List.

1. (transitive) (formal) If you obtain something, you get it.

   The newspaper was able to obtain the information from police.

   After obtaining permission from the town, they built the new trail.

2. (intransitive) (formal) If something obtains, it is true or it exists.

   His argument is therefore compatible only in cases where class difference does not obtain.

Synonyms

• acquire
• get
• receive

Related words

• obtainable