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

Specifically, Coffman addressed the 77 percent of psychiatrists who accept private insurance, in comparison to the 46 percent of psychiatrists who have any Medi-Cal patients. — Hannah Holzer, sacbee, "California needs more mental health professionals – and the shortage will get worse, experts say," 11 July 2018 But few psychologists had specifically addressed the children smack dab in the middle. — Adam Sternbergh, The Cut, "The Extinction of the Middle Child," 11 July 2018 Carline Paul holds mail addressed to Daphne Campbell. — Sarah Blaskey And David Smiley, miamiherald, "Where does she live? A Miami lawmaker's bizarre attempt to reside in her district," 3 July 2018 The penultimate poem of Canto general, written in 1949 and addressed to the Chilean Communist Party, which Neruda had joined four years earlier, offers one of many examples. — Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, "The partisan world of Pablo Neruda," 2 July 2018 Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in a statement released Tuesday that was addressed to members of his archdiocese. — Felipe Villamor, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Who is this stupid God?’ For latest insult, Philippine leader aims high," 27 June 2018 Providence Day is collecting donations to the Deven Sawyer Memorial Fund, which can be addressed to the school at 5800 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270. — Jane Wester, charlotteobserver, "Funeral scheduled for Providence Day student killed in Argentina bus crash," 26 June 2018 Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s chief executive, was also notified and has addressed the matter directly with Harford, two Uber employees said. — Mike Isaac, BostonGlobe.com, "At Uber, new questions arise about executive behavior," 14 July 2018 The new leadership also faces the daunting task of addressing decades of ingrained corruption, inefficiency and poorly maintained infrastructure. — Fortune, "Puerto Rico's Bankrupt Utility Has No Leader After Pay Scandal," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Procopio did not address whether state policing duties could be left to the local police departments on the two islands. — Todd Wallack, BostonGlobe.com, "For some State Police, it’s a posting in paradise," 14 July 2018 The indictment did not address the question of whether the Russians’ actions were actually in response to Mr. Trump. — Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, "Trump Invited the Russians to Hack Clinton. Were They Listening?," 13 July 2018 Ultimately, the department did address a number of safety concerns without a court order. — Mike Hendricks, kansascity, "Firefighters protect us. Who protects them?," 13 July 2018 The American Civil Liberties Union requested that the government be penalized but did not address the matter at the hearing, according to a USA Today report. — Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, "Federal judge commends Trump administration for 'good faith' in family reunifications," 13 July 2018 The statement did not address whether that policy would be under review. — Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, "State account auto-tweets link to Attorney General Curtis Hill statement criticizing accuser," 12 July 2018 The training, however, didn’t address how law-enforcement officers should respond to an active shooter within a school or other public facility. — Martin E. Comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "School resource officers learn to 'defuse' tense situations with mentally ill," 2 July 2018 Steil spokesman Andrew Iverson praised Walker's union policies but did not address Bryce's specific statements. — Mary Spicuzza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Randy Bryce called unions lazy, said they had become dinosaurs before his congressional run," 2 July 2018 Trump did not address gun control, or the current climate of hostility journalists face. — NBC News, "Trump says Capital Gazette shooting 'shocked the conscience of our nation'," 29 June 2018

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

Phrases Related to address

State of the Union address

public address announcer

return address

Statistics for address

Last Updated

18 Oct 2018

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