established

1 of 2

adjective

es·​tab·​lished i-ˈsta-blisht 

1

: accepted and recognized or followed by many people

established rules/customs/traditions

2

a

: successful for a long period of time and widely known

an established author/artist

an established law firm

… people with Ph.D.s have been credentialed by established experts in their fields

—Louis Menand

b

: growing or flourishing successfully

an established plant

an established flower garden

3

of a church or religion : officially recognized and accepted by the government of a country

Some of the religious groups lasted, but at a price. Their dogma hardened, and they developed organizational structures that are mirror images of established churches.

—O. B. Hardison, Jr.

established

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of establish

Examples of established in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Within 180 days of closing, the company must also create a five-member News Editorial Independence Board of established journalists. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Sweden was fortunate to have lots of hydropower and an established base of nuclear reactors. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

For established businesses, this isn’t just a lost advantage. — Adam Taylor, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

In a way, the two very different brands –– one an established pillar of New York fashion famed for its ‘70s wrap dress, and the other a respected darling with prime promise — have a sort of big-little sister or kindred spirit association. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing established

• established church
• established order
• pre-established

Rhymes for established

• disestablished
• preestablished
• reestablished
• stablished