address

verb

ad·dress | \ ə-ˈdres

, a- also ˈa-ˌdres\

addressed; addressing; addresses

Definition of address

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to mark directions for delivery on address a letter

b : to consign to the care of another (such as an agent or factor)

2a : to direct the efforts or attention of (oneself) will address himself to the problem

b : to deal with : treat … intrigued by the chance to address important issues …— I. L. Horowitz

3a : to communicate directly addresses his thanks to his host

b : to speak or write directly to especially : to deliver a formal speech to The president will address the nation by television.

4 : to greet by a prescribed form how to address an archbishop

5 golf : to adjust the club and one's stance preparatory to hitting (the ball)

6 : to identify (something, such as a computer peripheral or memory location) by an address or a name for information transfer

7 archaic

a : direct, aim

b : to direct to go : send

8 archaic : to make ready especially : dress

intransitive verb

obsolete : to direct one's speech or attentions

address

noun

ad·dress | \ ə-ˈdres

, for senses 1, 2, & 3 also ˈa-ˌdres\

Definition of address (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a place where a person or organization may be communicated with asked for her name, address, and phone number

b : directions for delivery on the outside of an object (such as a letter or package) an envelope with an illegible address

c : the designation of place of delivery placed between the heading and salutation on a business letter

d : the designation of an account from which one can send or receive e-mail an e-mail address

2a : a location (as in the memory of a computer) where particular information is stored

b : a series of usually alphanumeric characters that specifies the storage location (as on a network or in a computer's memory) of particular information an Internet address A unique number called an IP address identifies every computer that's connected to the Internet. An IP address looks something like this: 24.62.89.4. Each of the four parts of an IP address can have from one to three digits.— Kim Komando

3 : a formal communication especially : a prepared speech delivered to a special audience or on a special occasion Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

4 : dutiful and courteous attention especially in courtship —usually used in plural She spurned his addresses."Here is a young man wishing to pay his addresses to you, with everything to recommend him."— Jane Austen

5a : readiness and capability for dealing (as with a person or problem) skillfully and smoothly : adroitness

b obsolete : a making ready also : a state of preparedness

6a : manner of bearing oneself a man of rude address

b : manner of speaking or singing : delivery was pleased with the tenor's ease of address

7 golf : the stance of the player and the position of the club preparatory to hitting the ball

Other Words from address Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about address

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Choose the Right Synonym for address

Noun

tact, address, poise, savoir faire mean skill and grace in dealing with others. tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate. questions showing a lack of tact address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends. brought it off with remarkable address poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations. answered the accusations with unruffled poise savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient. the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

Examples of address in a Sentence

Verb

I've addressed the letter, but it still needs a stamp. The package is sealed; it just needs to be addressed. We spent the afternoon addressing invitations to all our friends. The letter was returned because it had been addressed incorrectly. She ignored most of the people at the table, addressing only the man who was sitting next to her. One of the characters addresses the audience directly throughout the play. Most of the speaker's remarks were addressed to those with experience in the industry. Before the awards were given, the mayor addressed the crowd.

Noun

Write your name, address, and phone number in the spaces provided. We listened to the President's inaugural address on the radio. She was asked to give a formal address at the ceremony.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Candidates addressed everything from their plans to fight climate change, to disagreement within the party on how to defeat Donald Trump, to their support of reproductive rights. — Lissandra Villa / Cedar Rapids, Time, "19 Democratic Presidential Candidates Took the Stage Sunday. No One Stood Out," 11 June 2019 But last Wednesday, Moore addressed her thoughts about the convention. — Fox News, "Southern Baptist Convention grapples with sex abuse, women in leadership ahead of annual meeting," 11 June 2019 Embed credit: Photo via @sofiarichie For dinner, the table was set with more red to go with the theme, and each place card was a letter addressed to each guest. — Jenna Milliner-waddell, refinery29.com, "Kylie Jenner, A Big Handmaid’s Tale Fan, Threw A Gilead-Themed Birthday Party," 10 June 2019 Although families from all walks of life promote varied kinds of learning in everyday life, most parents lack preparation to address academic subjects, and their year-round obligations don’t end just because school is out for their offspring. — Kelly Chandler-olcott, The Conversation, "What advice articles miss about ‘summer loss’," 10 June 2019 So that letter was sent to the city of Huron and it was specifically addressed to the city manager. — cleveland.com, "What was he thinking? Defense attorney Roger Synenberg sends anonymous letter calling a witness against his client a snitch – This Week in the CLE," 9 June 2019 The project will address deep patch asphalt repairs on Pomerado Road from Poway Road to Twin Peaks Road. — Pomerado News, "Repairs will affect part of Pomerado Road," 8 June 2019 More than 90 lawmakers — including Rashida Tlaib, Jerry Naddler and Adam Schiff — signed a letter Thursday addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the policy change. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "New push to recognize U.S. citizenship of boy whose twin is already a citizen," 7 June 2019 That will involve faux email addresses that automatically forward to the user's personal email. — Michael Liedtke, Anchorage Daily News, "Say hello to ‘dark mode’ on iPhones and goodbye to iTunes," 4 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The agent who signed the lease gave Salkin a fake name and home address. — Raquel Rutledge, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "ATF's Milwaukee sting operation was marred by mistakes, failures," 11 June 2019 The petitions also must include the name and permanent address of the gatherer. — USA TODAY, "Black Hills yaks, serious senioritis on campus, Pony Express: News from around our 50 states," 10 June 2019 Information accessed in the breach included bank and credit card information; first and last names; dates of birth; addresses and phone numbers; dates of service and provider; and balance information. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al.com, "LabCorp data breach hits 7.7 million customers: Are you one? What do you do now?," 7 June 2019 The shooting was caught on surveillance video and the victim provided police with his girlfriend’s name, address, and vehicle information, Chief Inspector Scott Small said. — Joseph A. Gambardello, https://www.inquirer.com, "Cops: Woman shoots boyfriend outside Northeast Philly ER; man kills ex-girlfriend, self in North Philly murder-suicide," 6 June 2019 The second key piece of evidence during the first few days of investigation was a notebook found on the kitchen table filled with names, address and phone numbers. — John Spina, The Denver Post, "Bullet casings, phone book pointed investigators to Coal Creek Canyon triple homicide suspect," 5 June 2019 The online reporting tool asked for names and addresses and photo or video evidence. — Mark Gomez, The Mercury News, "San Jose activates online tool to combat illegal fireworks," 3 June 2019 To be notified when the application is available, submit your name and email address here. — Leena Kim, Town & Country, "You're Likely Going to Need an ETIAS to Visit Europe," 15 Mar. 2019 In this case, the organization used false names and addresses on packages that were sent on commercial airliners, then Guerrero picked them up at the stores. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Rewind: What Guarding Uncle Sam's Borders Was Like in 1925," 11 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'address.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for address

Verb

Middle English adressen "to guide, direct, set in order, mark with a destination," borrowed from Anglo-French adrescer, adresser "to make straight, direct, guide," from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + drescer, dresser "to direct, put right" — more at dress entry 1

Noun

in part derivative of address entry 1, in part borrowed from Middle French adresce, adresse, noun derivative of adrescer, adresser

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Dictionary Entries near address

Statistics for address

Last Updated

14 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for address

The first known use of address was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for address

address

verb

English Language Learners Definition of address

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to write on an envelope, package, letter, etc., the name and address of the person or business it is being sent to

: to speak to (a person or group)

: to use a specified name or title when speaking or writing to (someone)

address

noun

English Language Learners Definition of address (Entry 2 of 2)

: the words and numbers that are used to describe the location of a building and that are written on letters, envelopes, and packages so that they can be mailed to that location

: the letters, numbers, and symbols that are used to direct an e-mail message or to show the location of a site on the Internet

: a formal speech

See the full definition for address in the English Language Learners Dictionary

address

verb

ad·dress | \ ə-ˈdres

addressed; addressing

Kids Definition of address

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to put directions for delivery on address a letter

2 : to speak or write to Bleakly, Roy looked up to address the grownups.— Carl Hiaasen, Hoot

3 : to use a specified name or title when speaking or writing to (someone) The children address me as “sir.”

4 : to deal with : give attention to address a problem

address

noun

ad·dress | \ ə-ˈdres

, ˈa-ˌdres\

Kids Definition of address (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the place where a person can usually be reached a business address

2 : the directions for delivery placed on mail

3 : the symbols (as numerals or letters) that identify the location where particular information (as a home page) is stored on a computer especially on the Internet

4 : a formal speech The president will give an address at the ceremony.

5 : the name of a computer account from which e-mail can be sent or received