ATTAIN


Meaning of ATTAIN in English

at ‧ tain AC /əˈteɪn/ BrE AmE verb [transitive] formal

[ Word Family: verb : ↑ attain ; noun : ↑ attainment ; adjective : ↑ attainable ≠ ↑ unattainable ]

[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: ataindre , from Latin attingere , from ad- 'to' + tangere 'to touch' ]

1 . to succeed in achieving something after trying for a long time:

More women are attaining positions of power.

2 . to reach a particular level, age, size etc:

Share prices attained a high of $3.27.

After a year she had attained her ideal weight.

—attainable adjective :

This target should be attainable.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.