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reach definition

reach (rēc̸h)

transitive verb

  1. to thrust out or extend (the hand, etc.)
  2. to extend to, or touch, by thrusting out, throwing something, etc.
  3. to obtain and hand over reach me the salt
  4. to go as far as; attain to reach town by night
  5. to carry as far as; penetrate to the news reached him late
  6. to add up to; come to to reach thousands of dollars
  7. to have influence on; affect; impress
  8. to get in touch with, as by telephone

Etymology: ME rechen < OE ræcan, akin to Ger reichen < IE *rēiĝ-, to stretch out, extend the hand, akin to base *reĝ-, straight, stretch, direct > right

intransitive verb

  1. to thrust out the hand, foot, etc.
  2. to stretch, or be extended, in amount, influence, space, time, etc. power that reaches into other lands
  3. to be added; amount (with to or into)
  4. to carry; penetrate, as sight, sound, etc.
  5. to try to obtain something; make an attempt
  6. to try too hard to make a point, joke, etc.
  7. Naut. to sail on a reach

noun

  1. the act of stretching or thrusting out
  2. the power of stretching, obtaining, etc.
  3. the distance or extent covered in stretching, obtaining, influencing, etc.
  4. a continuous, uninterrupted extent or stretch, esp. of water
  5. ☆ a pole joining the rear axle to the forward part of a wagon
  6. Naut. a tack sailed with the wind coming more or less from abeam: it may be a close reach, with the wind forward of the beam; a beam reach, with the wind abeam; or a broad reach, with the wind abaft the beam

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
reach Synonyms

reach

n.


reach

v.

  1. To extend to

    touch, span, encompass, pass along, continue to, get to, go to, roll on, go on, stretch, go as far as, attain, equal, approach, lead, stand, terminate, end, overtake, join, come up to, penetrate to, spread, sweep; see also spread 3.

  2. To extend a part of the body to

    stretch, lunge, strain, move, reach out, feel for, come at, make contact with, shake hands, throw out a limb, make for, put out, touch, strike, seize, grasp; see also stretch 1.

  3. To arrive

    get to, get as far as, come to, enter; see arrive 1.

  4. To give an object to another

    hand over, relinquish, give over, give away, carry to, turn over, transfer; see also give 1.

  5. To communicate with

    contact, get in touch with, get through to, make an impression on; see communicate 2, influence.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

reach Usage Examples

Object

  • conclusion: The Committee did not reach a firm conclusion on how to resolve these issues.

Subject

  • staircase: The bedrooms are reached by a fairly narrow staircase.

Preposition: into

  • mist: When you reach back into the mists of your most treasured childhood memories, can you recall a favorite toy?

Adjective modifier

  • easy: Sun & Sand Sun worshippers who want duvet soft beaches within easy reach will be spoilt with the endless shores of the Algarve.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • out: I want to say to them'Don't give up hope reach out to God for His help.

Preposition: of

  • amenity: The house is ideally located moments from local shops and within easy reach of the many amenities of Kingston town center.

Preposition: for

  • plaything: Busy babies will enjoy reaching for the intriguing playthings hanging from the three-dimensional Whoozit® Gym to Go.

Preposition: by

  • staircase: The bedrooms are reached by a fairly narrow staircase.
reach usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

reach quotes

With a nation, as with a boxer, one of the greatest assurances of safety is to add reach to power.

-Acheson, Dean Gooderham

I am out of humanity's reach.

-Cowper,William

Aconspiracy iseverything thatordinary lifeisnot.It'sthe inside game, cold, sure, undistracted, forever closed off to us.We are the flawed ones, the innocents, trying to make some rough sense of the daily jostle.Conspirators have a logic and a daring beyond our reach.

-DeLillo, Don

reach quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"reach." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/reach>

APA Style

reach. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/reach

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