verb

obtain

uhb-TAYN

verb

To get or acquire something, often through effort or a formal process.

"You'll need to obtain a permit before you can start building."

"She obtained a copy of the report through a public records request."

To be the case or hold true, especially in formal or legal contexts.

"These rules obtain only in certain jurisdictions."

How to Use Obtain

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get hold of something, usually formally or with some effort.

When to use it

More formal than "get" — common in official, legal, or written contexts.

Common pairings

obtain permission obtain a licence obtain evidence

Word Forms

obtained past tense, obtain plural, obtained plural, obtains singular, obtain singular, obtained singular, obtainest singular, obtainedst singular, obtaineth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

You'll need to _____ a permit before you can start building.

Etymology

From Latin obtinere, "to gain, hold, possess", from ob- plus tenere ("to hold") — the same root as "tenant" and "contain".

Rhymes for obtain

ain rain pain lain gain main vain fain bain Iain Jain Cain

See all rhymes for obtain →