establish/əˋstæblIʃ; IˈstæblIʃ/v [T]1 to start a company, organization, or system 建立﹐创立﹐设立: Our goal is to establish a new research center. 我们的目标是建立一个新的研究中心。The company was established in 1974. 公司成立于 1974 年。2 establish relations/contacts/links etc to start a relationship with someone 建立关系/联系等: Many businesses have established links with local schools. 很多企业都和当地学校建立了联系。3 to discover facts which prove something 证实﹔确定: We have been unable to establish the cause of the fire. 我们还不能确定火灾的原因。+whether/what etc Detectives are trying to establish whether the crimes are related. 警探想确定这些罪案是否有联系。+that We have established that the disease is caused by a virus. 我们已经确定这种疾病是由一种病毒引起的。4 to make people accept that you are good at doing something 使被接受﹐使被承认: She has established a reputation in the fashion industry. 她已经在时装界确立了名声。establish sb/sth as sth He has already established himself as a top chef. 他已经确立了顶级厨师的地位。 —established adj