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¹reach

verb \ˈrēch\

: to be able to touch, pick up, or grab (something) by moving or stretching

: to move or stretch (your hand, arm, etc.) when you are trying to touch or grab something

: to arrive at (a place that you have been traveling to)

Full Definition of REACH

transitive verb

a : to stretch out : extend

b : thrust

a : to touch or grasp by extending a part of the body (as a hand) or an object <couldn't reach the apple>

b : to pick up and draw toward one : take

c (1) : to extend to <the shadow reached the wall> (2) : to get up to or as far as : come to <your letter reached me yesterday> <his voice reached the last rows> <they hoped to reach an agreement>

d (1) : encompass (2) : to make an impression on (3) : to communicate with

: to hand over : pass

intransitive verb

a : to make a stretch with or as if with one's hand

b : to strain after something

a : project, extend <his land reaches to the river>

b : to arrive at or come to something <as far as the eye could reach>

: to sail on a reach

— reach·able \ˈrē-chə-bəl\ adjective

— reach·er noun

See reach defined for English-language learners

See reach defined for kids

Origin of REACH

Middle English rechen, from Old English rǣcan; akin to Old High German reichen to reach, Lithuanian raižytis to stretch oneself

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to REACH

Synonyms: buck, hand, hand over, pass, transfer

Rhymes with REACH

beach, beech, bleach, breach, breech, each, leach, leech, peach, pleach, preach, screech, speech, teach

²reach

noun

: the distance that you can stretch your arm to touch, pick up, or grab something

: the ability or power of someone or something to do, achieve, or control something

reaches : the parts of an area that are a long way from the center

Full Definition of REACH

: a continuous stretch or expanse; especially : a straight portion of a stream or river

a (1) : the action or an act of reaching (2) : an individual part of a progression or journey

b (1) : a reachable distance <within reach> (2) : ability to reach <had a long reach>

c : an extent or range especially of knowledge or comprehension

: a bearing shaft or coupling pole; especially : the rod joining the hind axle to the forward bolster of a wagon

: the tack sailed by a ship with the wind coming just forward of the beam or with the wind directly abeam or abaft the beam

: echelon, level —usually used in plural <the upper reaches of academia>

See reach defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of REACH

1536

Related to REACH

Synonyms: breadth, distance, expansion, extent, field, length, plain, expanse, sheet, spread, stretch, waste

Other Vehicles Terms

brougham, hansom, litter, shay, skid, sledge, sulky, wain

REACHABLE Defined for Kids

¹reach

verb \ˈrēch\

reachedreach·ing

Definition of REACH for Kids

: to extend the arm far enough to touch or grab <I can't reach the top shelf.>

: to arrive at : come <We should reach the border before noon.>

: to extend or stretch to <Their land reaches the river.>

: to communicate with <I tried to reach you by phone.>

: to grow, develop, or increase <The temperature reached a record high.>

Synonym Discussion of REACH

reach, gain, and achieve mean to arrive at a point or end by work or effort. reach is used for arriving at something or some place by any amount of effort. <They reached the city after many days.> gain is used of a struggle to arrive at a goal. <The slaves gained their freedom.> achieve is used when skill or courage is involved. <The artist achieved greatness.>