1. To come into possession or use of; acquire: gained a small fortune in real estate; gained vital information about the enemy's plans.2. To attain in competition or struggle; win: gained a decisive victory; gained control of the company.3. To obtain through effort or merit; achieve: gain recognition; gain a hearing for the proposal.4. To secure as profit or reward; earn: gain a living; gain extra credits in school.5a. To manage to achieve an increase of: a movement that gained strength; gained wisdom with age.b. To increase by (a specific amount): gained 15 pounds; the market gained 30 points.6. To come to; reach: gained the top of the mountain. See synonyms at reach. 7. To become fast by (a specified amount of time). Used of a timepiece: My watch gains four minutes a day.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To increase; grow: gained in experience and maturity; a painting that gained in value.2. To become better; improve: gaining in health.3. To obtain a profit or advantage; benefit: stood to gain politically by his opponent's blunder.4a. To close a gap; get closer: The runners in the back gained steadily on the leader.b. To increase a lead. 5. To put on weight: I began to gain when I went off my diet.6. To operate or run fast. Used of a timepiece.
NOUN:
1a. Something gained or acquired: territorial gains.b. Progress; advancement: The country made economic gains under the new government.2. The act of acquiring; attainment. 3. An increase in amount or degree: a gain in operating income.4.Electronics An increase in signal power, voltage, or current by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input. Also called amplification.
IDIOMS:
gain ground To progress, advance, or increase: Stock prices gained ground yesterday.gain time1. To run too fast. Used of a timepiece. 2. To delay or prolong something until a desired event occurs.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Middle English gayne, booty (from Old French gaigne, gain, gain, from gaaignier, to gain, of Germanic origin; see wei- in Appendix I) and Middle English gein, advantage (from Old Norse gegn, ready, and and from Old French gain, gain).
g
n
- in Appendix I) and Middle English gein, advantage (from Old Norse gegn, ready, and and from Old French gain, gain).
