First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1gain
noun \ˈgān\
: something wanted or valued that is gotten : something that is gained; especially : money gotten through some activity or process
: something that is helpful : advantage or benefit
: an increase in amount, size, or number
Full Definition of GAIN
1
: resources or advantage acquired or increased : profit <made substantial gains last year>
2
: the act or process of gaining
3
a : an increase in amount, magnitude, or degree <a gain in efficiency> b : the increase (as of voltage or signal intensity) caused by an amplifier; especially : the ratio of output over input c : the signal-gathering ability of an antenna
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See gain defined for kids
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Origin of GAIN
Middle English gayne, from Anglo-French gaigne, gain, from gaaigner to till, earn, gain, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German weidanōn to hunt for food, Old English wāth pursuit, hunt
Related to GAIN
Rhymes with GAIN
ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne
2gain
verb
: to get (something wanted or valued)
: to win (something) in a competition, battle, etc.
: to gradually get (something) or more of (something) as time passes
Full Definition of GAIN
transitive verb
1
a : to acquire or get possession of usually by industry, merit, or craft <gain an advantage> <he stood to gain a fortune> b : to win in competition or conflict <the troops gained enemy territory> c (1) : to arrive at : reach, attain <gained the river that night> (2) : traverse, cover <gained 10 yards on the play> d : to get by a natural development or process <gain strength> e : to establish a specific relationship with <gain a friend>
2
a : to make an increase of (a specified amount) <gained three percent in the past month> b : to increase in (a particular quality) <gain momentum>
3
: to win to one's side : persuade <gain adherents to a cause>
4
: to cause to be obtained or given : attract <gain attention>
5
of a timepiece : to run fast by the amount of <the clock gains a minute a day>
intransitive verb
1
: to get advantage : profit <hoped to gain by the deal>
2
a : increase <the day was gaining in warmth> b : to increase in weight c : to improve in health or ability
3
of a timepiece : to run fast
4
: to get closer to something pursued —usually used with on or upon
— gain·er noun
— gain ground
: to make progress
See gain defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GAIN
14th century
GAIN Defined for Kids
1gain
noun \ˈgān\
Definition of GAIN for Kids
1
: something valuable or desirable that is obtained or acquired : profit <financial gains>
2
: an increase in amount, size, or degree
2gain
verb
gainedgain·ing
Definition of GAIN for Kids
1
: to get or win often by effort <You gain knowledge by study.> <He exercised to gain strength.>
2
: to get or acquire in a natural or gradual way <He gained ten pounds.>
3
: to increase in <The car gained speed.>
4
: to get to : reach <The swimmer gained the shore.>
5
: to get an advantage : profit <We all gained from the lesson.>
Medical Dictionary
gain
intransitive verb \ˈgān\
Medical Definition of GAIN
: to improve in health <the patient gained daily>
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