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

Volokh had addressed the exception and the underlying case, Giboney v. Empire Storage & Ice Co., in multiple journal articles. — Anchorage Daily News, "Woman who urged boyfriend to kill himself asks Supreme Court to call it free speech," 9 July 2019 A dozen years before Benchley’s bestseller, John F. Kennedy memorably addressed the enduring mystery of the sea. — Neil Swidey, BostonGlobe.com, "We’re afraid of sharks. But maybe we’re not afraid enough.," 9 July 2019 Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, addressed the new features in an Instagram post of her own. — Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE.com, "Instagram Announces New Features Designed to Combat Bullying," 8 July 2019 The San Diego division of the California Court of Appeal recently addressed this question in reversing summary dismissal of a case brought by former Riverside County deputy district attorney Christopher Ross. — Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Must a whistleblower identify law he complains was broken?," 8 July 2019 The plan announced Sunday does not address another urgent problem, the lack of profitable businesses with potential for growth. — Jack Ewing, New York Times, "Deutsche Bank Scales Back Ambitions, Announcing Job Cuts and Reorganization," 7 July 2019 The message must address the economic hardships that rural voters have experienced over the past decade. — Doug Friednash, The Denver Post, "Friednash: Democrats need to focus on what really matters to voters to win in 2020," 5 July 2019 This addresses the problem that human beings do not learn at the same rate, even though most schools organize students by age. — Penny Bishop, The Conversation, "What is personalized learning and why is it so controversial? 5 questions answered," 5 July 2019 The House Oversight Committee is expected to hold a July 12 hearing to address conditions inside the detention facilities, and invited DHS Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan and CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan to testify. — Jasmine Aguilera, Time, "Drawings by Migrant Children Depict Conditions in Border Patrol Detention Facilities," 5 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Parker was getting emails to his personal and work addresses. — Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, "First, they lost their children. Then, the conspiracies started. Now, the parents of Newtown are fighting back.," 8 July 2019 The agency also has a map of the affected areas at sdcwa.org/water-quality, allowing county residents to search if their address is included. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Water authority announces citation against Twin Oaks Valley water treatment plant," 8 July 2019 His private address was published on a far-right blog. — Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, "A Political Murder and Far-Right Terrorism: Germany’s New Hateful Reality," 7 July 2019 Stanford last year removed Serra’s name from two dormitories and its own mailing address on Serra Mall. — Tatiana Sanchez, SFChronicle.com, "As tensions flare over monuments, universities target California’s mission past," 4 July 2019 Although the Bazaar was razed in the mid-'80s,one element still stands at its original address. — David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "'Stranger Things 3' depicts frightful '80s mall culture in Indiana. These people lived it," 4 July 2019 No attorney was listed for her in court records, and no one answered a call to a number listed for her address. — Colin Campbell, baltimoresun.com, "Infant out of hospital after accident in Owings Mills parking lot; driver charged with driving without license," 1 July 2019 Authorities said his address was listed in Hoover, and his family lives in eastern Jefferson County. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "20-year-old identified as victim in Riverchase Galleria parking deck shooting," 27 June 2019 If your comments are intended for publication as a letter to the editor, please be sure to include your mailing address. — The New York Review of Books, "For editorial and general inquiries:," 17 June 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

12 Jul 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