approach

²approach

noun

Definition of APPROACH

1

a : an act or instance of approaching <the approach of summer> b : approximation <in this book he makes his closest approach to greatness>

2

a : the taking of preliminary steps toward a particular purpose <experimenting with new lines of approach> b : a particular manner of taking such steps <a highly individual approach to language>

3

: a means of access : avenue

4

a : a golf shot from the fairway toward the green b : the steps taken by a bowler before delivering the ball; also : the part of the alley behind the foul line from which the bowler delivers the ball

5

: the descent of an aircraft toward a landing place

Examples of APPROACH

1. trying a more healthy approach
2. The cat made a cautious approach.
3. The quiet afternoon was interrupted by the approach of a motorboat.
4. A loud growl warned us of the bear's approach.
5. With the approach of summer came longer, hotter days.

First Known Use of APPROACH

15th century

Related to APPROACH

Synonyms: passage, avenue, path, route, way

Related Words: bypath, byway, lane, laneway [British]; artery, boulevard, bypass, drive, expressway, freeway, high road, highway, pass, passageway, pike, road, roadway, routeway [chiefly British], row, street, thoroughfare, turnpike; walk, walkway; trace, track, trail; airway; bikeway, cycleway [British]; channel, gat, watercourse, waterway; door, doorway, gate, gateway, hatch, portal

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