To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.
"She managed to obtain a rare ticket for the concert despite the long lines and sold-out status."
In plain English: To obtain means to get something you want or need.
"You can obtain a library card by filling out an application form at the front desk."
Usage: Use obtain to mean successfully acquiring or procuring something through effort or request. It works best when you want to emphasize the successful result of getting an item, permission, or information rather than just the act of taking it.
Example Sentences
"You can obtain a library card by filling out an application form at the front desk."verb
"She decided to obtain a driver's license before she moved across state lines."verb
"The students worked late into the night to obtain enough data for their science project."verb
"You can obtain this form at the front desk of the library."verb
The word "obtain" comes from the Latin verb obtinere, which meant to hold or possess. It traveled into English through Middle French and Anglo-Norman before entering common use in its current sense of gaining something.