The meaning of OBTAIN is to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort. How to use obtain in a sentence. Did you know?

OBTAINING definition: 1. present participle of obtain 2. to get something, especially by asking for it, buying it…. Learn more.

OBTAIN definition: to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request. See examples of obtain used in a sentence.

Definition of obtain verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

1. to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through effort or request. 2. Obs. to attain or reach. 3. to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue: the morals that obtained in Rome. …

To obtain something means to get it or achieve it. He was trying to obtain a false passport.

Used when referring to the process of actively working towards getting something, usually after effort or a formal process. He is working hard towards obtaining his master's degree. The …

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

They've obtained [= acquired] the necessary permission to enter. These ideas no longer obtain for our generation. The drug is legally obtainable in this country.

Nov 3, 2025 · obtain (third-person singular simple present obtains, present participle obtaining, simple past and past participle obtained) (transitive) To get hold of; to gain possession of, to …