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gain

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Gain is defined as to get something or to add on or increase.

(verb)

An example of gain is to take the lead in a soccer game.
An example of gain is to put on five pounds.

The definition of a gain is a profit, advantage or increase.

(noun)

An example of gain is a five percent increase in earnings in the past year.
An example of gain is a five point lead on the other team.

See gain in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an increase; addition; specif.,
1. an increase in wealth, earnings, etc.; profit; winnings
2. an increase in advantage; advantage; improvement
the act of getting something; acquisition; accumulation
Electronics
1. an increase in signal strength when transmitted from one point to another: often expressed in decibels
2. the ratio of the output current, voltage, or power of an amplifier, receiver, etc. to the respective input

Origin: ME < OFr gaaigne < gaaignier: see gainthe

transitive verb

to get by labor; earn: to gain a livelihood
1. to get by effort or merit, as in competition; win
2. to cause to be directed toward oneself or itself; attract: to gain one's interest
to get as an increase, addition, profit, or advantage: to gain ten pounds
to make an increase in: to gain speed
to go faster by: my watch gained two minutes
to get to; arrive at; reach

Origin: ME gainen, to profit, be of use < OFr gaaignier < Frank *waidanjan, to work, earn, akin to OHG weidenen, to pasture < weide, pasture < IE *witi-, a hunting after < base *wei-, to go, hunt > L via, way, vis, strength

intransitive verb

to make progress; improve or advance, as in health, business, etc.
to acquire wealth or profit
to increase in weight; become heavier
to be fast; said of a clock, etc.

☆

noun

Carpentry a groove or mortise, as in a piece of wood, into which another piece can be fitted

Origin: < ?

See gain in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb gained, gain·ing, gains

verb, transitive

To come into possession or use of; acquire: gained a small fortune in real estate; gained vital information about the enemy's plans.
To attain in competition or struggle; win: gained a decisive victory; gained control of the company.
To obtain through effort or merit; achieve: gain recognition; gain a hearing for the proposal.
To secure as profit or reward; earn: gain a living; gain extra credits in school.
a. 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.
To come to; reach: gained the top of the mountain. See Synonyms at reach.
To become fast by (a specified amount of time). Used of a timepiece: My watch gains four minutes a day.

verb, intransitive

To increase; grow: gained in experience and maturity; a painting that gained in value.
To become better; improve: gaining in health.
To obtain a profit or advantage; benefit: stood to gain politically by his opponent's blunder.
a. To close a gap; get closer: The runners in the back gained steadily on the leader.
b. To increase a lead.
To put on weight: I began to gain when I went off my diet.
To operate or run fast. Used of a timepiece.

noun

a. Something gained or acquired: territorial gains.
b. Progress; advancement: The country made economic gains under the new government.
The act of acquiring; attainment.
An increase in amount or degree: a gain in operating income.
Electronics An increase in signal power, voltage, or current by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input. Also called amplification.

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English gayne, booty (from Old French gaigne, gain, gain, from gaaignier, to gain, of Germanic origin; see weiə- in Indo-European roots)

Origin: and Middle English gein, advantage (from Old Norse gegn, ready, and from Old French gain, gain)

noun

A notch or mortise cut into a board to receive another part.

transitive verb gained, gain·ing, gains