The meaning of OBTAIN is to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort. How to use obtain in a sentence. OBTAIN definition: to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request. See examples of obtain used in a sentence. to get something, especially by asking for it, buying it, working for it, or producing it from…. Obtain means to get something that is not so easy to come by such as knowledge, rights, or a large amount of money. You wouldn't say you obtained a pair of pants, unless they were one of a kind. To obtain something means to get it or achieve it. He was trying to obtain a false passport. 'obtain' If you obtain something that you want or need, you get it. I made another attempt to obtain employment. He had obtained the papers during his visits to Berlin. Find 161 different ways to say OBTAIN, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com. Definition of obtain verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.