reach

1 of 2

verb

ˈrēch 

reached; reaching; reaches

transitive verb

1

a

: to stretch out : extend

b

: thrust

2

a

: to touch or grasp by extending a part of the body (such 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

reachable

ˈrē-chə-bəl 

adjective

reacher noun

reach

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms

Verb

• buck
• hand
• hand over
• pass
• transfer

Noun

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

Examples of reach in a Sentence

Verb

She couldn't reach the apple. She was too short.

He couldn't reach the apple, even with a stick.

She can't reach that far.

We reached California after driving for two days.

Their land reaches the river.

Their land reaches to the river.

The phone cord doesn't reach.

Noun

The ball was just out of reach.

Their goal is out of reach.

The country's farthest reaches had not been explored.

the upper reaches of the business

the upper reaches of the river

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Emmy Russell continued her American Idol journey Sunday, singing for the chance to reach the Top 12. —Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024

Operational revenue grew 49% year-on-year to reach $1.1 billion. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024

The Supreme Court is debating Monday how far cities can go to prevent people from sleeping in public places without effectively criminalizing homelessness, an issue of increasing importance as the number of Americans without shelter has reached record levels. —USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

With shareholder approval, though, bonuses could reach a maximum of twice a banker’s base pay. —Aisha S Gani, Fortune Europe, 22 Apr. 2024

Prosecutors at the outset sought to emphasize the gravity of the case, the first of four criminal prosecutions against Trump to reach trial, by framing it as about election interference. —TIME, 22 Apr. 2024

Artists are navigating the careful balance of honoring the past while creating art to last long into the future, hoping to reach older and newer generations alike. —Meghan Mahar, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2024

Salmonella outbreak update As of Friday’s CDC update, the outbreak reached 12 people in seven states and had hospitalized one person. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2024

Moreover, pre-diabetes, prehypertension, and mental health disorders are manifesting at increasingly younger ages, while the risk of obstructive sleep apnea among Indians has reached higher proportions. —Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024

Noun

By partnering with organizations like the DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) task force, Drive Square extends its reach and impact in promoting safer driving practices within communities. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

Right now, the program counts with over 23 million households enrolled across all 50 states, territories and federally recognized tribal lands and its success, its reach and the impact of the program are absolutely unquestionable. —Abc News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024

Dream big on the 29th when Mars and Neptune whisper ideas that will enhance your reach. —Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024

But unlike groups in other states, the Freedom Foundation has extended its reach by targeting school bond and levy elections, which have traditionally been local issues and are the main ways districts build and repair schools. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024

But with just three games left, Florida’s franchise record of 122 points — set in 2021-2022 — is out of reach. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024

Though rivals have been acquiring buzzy specials, including Alex Edelman’s Just for Us on Max, Netflix devotes 10 days in May to remind the larger comedy community and its fans of both its reach and its roster, with some 300 shows across 35-plus Los Angeles venues. —Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024

Fake elector says Mayes 'weaponizing our justice system' The Arizona electors have largely avoided public acknowledgment of the reach of Mayes' investigation, refusing to confirm if they have been subpoenaed. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024

Under Musk, the platform added benefits to premium subscriptions including the ability to monetize content via ads, the ability to edit posts and boosted reach. —Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reach

• achieve/reach an understanding
• beyond someone's reach
• beyond the reach of
• hit/reach rock bottom
• in reach
• in someone's reach
• long reach
• out of reach
• out of someone's reach
• out of the reach of
• reach a compromise
• reach a conclusion
• reach a consensus
• reach for
• reach for the stars
• reach its conclusion
• reach-me-down
• reach new depths
• reach one's limit
• reach out
• reach out to (someone)
• reach/realize one's full potential
• reach/shoot for the moon
• within easy reach
• within (easy) reach of
• within reach
• within someone's reach

Kids Definition

reach

1 of 2 verb

ˈrēch 

1

: to stretch out : extend

reached out her arm

2

a

: to touch or move to touch or take by sticking out a part of the body (as the hand) or something held in the hand

couldn't reach the apple, even standing on tiptoes

reached for the catsup

b

: to extend or stretch to

their land reaches the river

c

: to get up to or as far as : come to

your letter reached me yesterday

tried to reach an agreement

d

: to communicate with

tried to reach you by phone

3

: hand entry 2 sense 2, pass

please reach me the salt

reachable

ˈrē-chə-bəl 

adjective

reacher noun

reach

2 of 2 noun

1

: an unbroken stretch (as of a river)

2

a

: the action or an act of reaching

b

: the distance one can reach

kept it in easy reach

c

: ability to stretch so as to touch something

you have a long reach

d

: the ability to reach something as if by using the hands

a new car is beyond our reach right now

Legal Definition

reach

transitive verb

1

: to extend application to

2

: to obtain an interest in or possession of

unable to reach all the assets of the debtor

3

a

: to arrive at and consider

the justices did not reach that issue

b

: to amount to

did not reach a due process violation

reach noun

reachable adjective