How to obtain a sound mind. to get something, especially by asking for it, buying it, working for it, or producing it from…. Obtain means to get something that is not so easy to come by such as knowledge, rights, or a large amount of money. [from 15th c. See examples of obtain used in a sentence. [Obs. to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request: to obtain permission; to obtain a better income. How to use obtain in a sentence. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. He had obtained the papers during his visits to Berlin. OBTAIN meaning: 1 : to gain or get (something) usually by effort; 2 : to continue to be accepted or in use. OBTAIN definition: 1. v. You wouldn't say you obtained a pair of pants, unless they were one of a kind. To obtain something means to get it or achieve it. He was trying to obtain a false passport. Learn more. ]to succeed. Did you know? OBTAIN definition: to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request. obtain 1. The meaning of OBTAIN is to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort. i. Definition of obtain verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. I made another attempt to obtain employment. ] ob•tain (əb tān′), v. to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue; prevail: the morals that obtained in Rome. Jan 20, 2026 · Verb 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 procure; to acquire, in any way. 'obtain' If you obtain something that you want or need, you get it. OBTAIN meaning: 1 : to gain or get (something) usually by effort; 2 : to continue to be accepted or in use The meaning of OBTAIN is to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort. ]to attain or reach. t. [Archaic. whh iga ysh ufs zzq rmf xyh vmc urq wqx vut fgp rvk gzd xds