reach

¹reach

verb \ˈrēch\

Definition of REACH

transitive verb

1

a : to stretch out : extend

b : thrust

2

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

3

: to hand over : pass

intransitive verb

1

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

b : to strain after something

2

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

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

3

: to sail on a reach

— reach·able \ˈrē-chə-bəl\ adjective

— reach·er noun

Examples of REACH

1. She couldn't reach the apple. She was too short.
2. He couldn't reach the apple, even with a stick.
3. She can't reach that far.
4. We reached California after driving for two days.
5. Their land reaches the river.
6. Their land reaches to the river.
7. The phone cord doesn't reach.

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

Related Words

relay; bear, carry; finger, handle, paw; cede, deliver, give, give up, release, relinquish, render, surrender, turn over, yield

Near Antonyms

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary; underwhelm

Rhymes with REACH

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

²reach

noun

Definition of REACH

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

: 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

5

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

Examples of REACH

1. The ball was just out of reach.
2. Their goal is out of reach.
3. The country's farthest reaches had not been explored.
4. the upper reaches of the business
5. the upper reaches of the river

First Known Use of REACH

1536

Related to REACH

Synonyms

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

Related Words

domain, sphere, territory; compass, range, scope, sweep; gamut, scale, spectrum; depth, emptiness, void; extension, latitude, span; amplitude, immensity, magnitude

Other Vehicles Terms

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