Obtain Definition

əb-tān, ŏb-

obtained, obtaining, obtains

verb

obtained, obtaining, obtains

To get possession of, esp. by some effort; procure.

Webster's New World

To succeed in gaining possession of as the result of planning or endeavor; acquire.

American Heritage

To be in force or in effect; prevail.

A law that no longer obtains.

Webster's New World

To arrive at; reach or achieve.

Webster's New World

To succeed.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Obtain

From Anglo-Norman obtenir, optiner et al., and Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinÄ“re (“to gain, achieve, succeed, possess"), from ob- + tenÄ“re (“to hold").

From Wiktionary
Middle English obteinen from Old French obtenir from Latin obtinēre ob- intensive pref. ob– tenēre to hold ten- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition