attainment
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ətˈeɪnmənt/
US
- /əˈteɪnmənt/
Description
- achievement
- accomplishment
- reaching a goal
Attainment isn't just having something; it is the act of successfully reaching a goal or achieving something desired. Think of a mountain climber—their attainment isn't simply standing on the peak, but all the effort and skill that got them there. It speaks to what you've worked for and finally secured. A high school diploma is an attainment, as is mastering a difficult musical instrument. Sometimes it refers to a level of success or proficiency: "She reached a high level of attainment in French."
Attainment often implies effort and perseverance. You don't stumble upon attainment; you earn it. It is about what you've done, not just what you have. A character in a novel might strive for personal attainment, seeking self-improvement through hardship.
The word "attainment" refers to the successful achievement of something desired, earned, or worked towards. It is more than simply possessing something; it emphasizes the process and effort involved in reaching a goal. For example: "Her greatest attainment was overcoming her fear of public speaking," highlights not just that she can speak publicly now, but the journey she took to get there.
Attainment can refer to concrete accomplishments like degrees, awards, or skills—"He celebrated his professional attainments with colleagues." But it also applies to more abstract goals like personal growth, wisdom, or happiness: "She sought spiritual attainment through meditation and self-reflection."
Historically, the word carried a stronger sense of moral or intellectual achievement. In older texts, you might find references to a person of "high attainments" regarding scholarship or virtue. While still used this way, it is now more commonly applied to any significant accomplishment.
In contexts like education or employment, attainment can also refer to a specific level of skill or qualification—"The job requires a high level of attainment in mathematics." This usage focuses on demonstrating competence and mastery.
So whether you are talking about climbing mountains, earning degrees, or striving for personal growth, "attainment" is all about the successful culmination of effort and the realization of a desired outcome—a testament to what you've achieved through dedication and hard work.
Examples
- 1
Personal achievement
She spent years studying to reach that level of attainment.
- 2
School performance
The school is trying to raise attainment in reading and math.
Pattern
attainment in + subject
achievement in that subject
- 3
Education level
Children from wealthier families often have higher educational attainment.
Phrase
educational attainment
the level of education someone reaches
- 4
Academic success
Graduating at the top of her class was a remarkable attainment.
- 5
Spiritual growth
For him, spiritual attainment mattered more than money or status.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- attainmentnoun
Forms
- attainmentspluralnoun