establish in WordNet English dictionary

1. use as a basis for; found on
   "base a claim on some observation"
   establish  base  ground  found 
   
2. build or establish something abstract
   "build a reputation"
   build  establish 
   
3. set up or lay the groundwork for
   "establish a new department"
   establish  found  plant  constitute  institute 
   
4. establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment
   "The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound"; "The mathematician showed the validity of the conjecture"
   prove  demonstrate  establish  show  shew 
   
5. institute, enact, or establish
   "make laws"
   lay down  establish  make 
   
6. place
   "Her manager had set her up at the Ritz"
   install  instal  set up  establish 
   
7. bring about
   "The trompe l'oeil-illusion establishes depth"
   establish  give 
   
8. set up or found
   "She set up a literacy program"
   establish  set up  found  launch