attain
verb C1
Plain meaning
reach or achieve something after effort
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam writing, this is used to discuss reach or achieve something after effort in a more precise way.
In context
naturalThe team tried to attain a goal before the deadline.
examThe passage suggests that institutions may need to attain a goal in order to improve long-term outcomes.
Common collocations
attain a goalattain successattain a standard
Watch out
Do not pair it with a random object. Learn the full pattern, e.g., “attain a goal”. Also avoid confusing it with “achieve”.