gain

I UK [ɡeɪn] / US verb
Word forms "gain":
present tense I/you/we/they gain he/she/it gains present participle gaining past tense gained past participle gained
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1)

a) [transitive] to get or achieve something, usually as a result of a lot of effort

Extremist political parties gained 11% of the vote.

Bolivia gained independence from Spain in 1825.

She gained a first in her French degree.

gain access/admittance/entry to something:

He gained entry to the building by showing a fake pass.

b) [intransitive/transitive] to get more of something, usually as a result of a gradual process

Her theories have only recently gained acceptance.

gain something from/by (doing) something:

She hopes to gain experience by working abroad for a year.

gain in:

The property has gained steadily in value since they bought it.

gain weight:

I've gained a lot of weight this winter.

gain speed/momentum:

The toboggan sped down the hill, gaining momentum.

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Collocations:
Nouns frequently used as objects of gain
▪  acceptance, confidence, experience, ideas, information, insight, popularity, recognition, understanding

2) [intransitive/transitive] to get a benefit or advantage for yourself

gain something from (doing) something:

There is a lot to be gained from schools working together.

there is nothing to be gained from/by doing something:

We should act immediately. There is nothing to be gained from waiting.

gain from:

Whether you succeed or fail, you are sure to gain from the experience.

stand to gain (= be likely to get money or other benefits):

When the business is sold, all the brothers stand to gain.

3) [intransitive/transitive] if shares or the markets gain, the value of shares increases

The Nikkei index gained 45 points.

BA shares gained overnight.

4) [intransitive/transitive] if a clock gains, it operates too fast so that the time it shows is later than the actual time

The clock on my computer gains a minute every day.

5) [transitive] mainly literary to arrive at a place, especially one that is difficult to reach

They finally gained the summit.

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- gain ground

- gain time

Phrasal verbs:

- gain on

II UK [ɡeɪn] / US noun
Word forms "gain":
singular gain plural gains
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1) [countable/uncountable] an improvement or increase in something

The baby's weight gain during the first six months was normal.

The Green Party made big gains in the local elections.

gain in:

We have seen impressive gains in productivity over the last 12 months.

2) [countable] a benefit, or an advantage

It is a policy that will bring significant gains to all sections of the community.

3) [uncountable] the money or other benefits that you can get from something

for personal/material/financial gain:

He seems to have entered politics solely for personal gain.

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See:

ill-gotten gains