B1verbformalworklaw
US/əbˈteɪn/
UK/əbˈteɪn/
to get something, often by making an effort or following an official process
In context
You must obtain a visa before you travel to that country.
The journalist obtained the documents from a former employee.
Further information can be obtained from the school office.
Words that go with obtain
verb + noun
- obtain informationPolice obtained information about the thief from local cameras.
- obtain permissionYou need to obtain permission before filming inside the museum.
- obtain a visaIt took her three weeks to obtain a visa for Australia.
- obtain a degreeHe obtained a degree in engineering from a university in Da Nang.
verb + preposition
- obtained fromThe data was obtained from a survey of two thousand students.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I obtained a cold last week.Correct: I caught a cold last week.