[es.tab.lish.ment] n (15c) 1: something established: as a: a settled arrangement; esp: a code of laws b: established church c: a permanent civil or military organization d: a place of business or residence with its furnishings and staff e: a public or private institution
2: an established order of society: as a often cap: a group of social, economic, and political leaders who form a ruling class (as of a nation) b often cap: a controlling group "the literary ~" 3 a: the act of establishing b: the state of being established