address

verb

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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 email an email 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 Phrases Containing address Learn More About address

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The truth, of course, is that in a healthy society government policy moves ahead by taking note of existing inequities and striving to address them. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022 Gen Zs don't think their employer takes burnout seriously or is adequately working to address it. — Megan Leonhardt, Fortune, 18 May 2022 This is a grass roots effort to truly understand the underlying causes and address them. — Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2022 The issues of homelessness and crime dominated much of the race, as did a profound pessimism among Portlanders about City Hall’s ability to meaningfully address them. — oregonlive, 17 May 2022 Though their domestic drama gets more tangled with each passing year’s refusal to address it, someone eventually arrives with the intention of cutting through the knot. — The Atlantic, 16 May 2022 Take the time to determine the pain points your audience is experiencing with existing products, and address them. — Milissa Rick, Forbes, 16 May 2022 Because of Marmot's influence, physicians today have ways both to talk about social conditions and to address them through community partnerships—a practice called social prescribing. — Julia Hotz, Scientific American, 14 May 2022 Leaders met with Vice President Kamala Harris at the State Department on Friday for talks, and Biden was to address them later in the afternoon. — Aamer Madhani, ajc, 13 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Anderson also shared some pictures from the ceremony, including one with fellow Howard grad, Taraji P. Henson, who delivered the commencement address. — Marianne Garvey, CNN, 9 May 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Victory Day on Monday, celebrating the Soviet Union’s World War II triumph over Nazi Germany with a grand display of military might and an address from Moscow’s Red Square. — Rachel Elbaum, NBC News, 9 May 2022 The data displayed each participant's address in 2013. — Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes, 8 May 2022 President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine released a black-and-white video address on Sunday marking the Allied victory in 1945. — New York Times, 8 May 2022 However, Varso said department policy forbids the use of such devices for crowd dispersal, and instead uses the device as a public address system to communicate with a crowd. — Joe Tash, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2022 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a late-evening address Friday that efforts were continuing to find a diplomatic solution to save military personnel at the plant. — Mauro Orru, WSJ, 7 May 2022 Watch out for other common mistakes, like misspelling your name, listing the wrong address, or including the incorrect number of miles allotted in your lease. — cleveland, 7 May 2022 That mostly tracks with Chronicle analysis of U.S. Postal Service data from 2020 that showed 72% of address changes in the Bay Area were moves to other Bay Area counties. — Kellie Hwang, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 May 2022 See More

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

Learn More About address

Dictionary Entries Near address

addra

address

addressable

Statistics for address

Last Updated

23 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Address.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/address. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for address

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 email can be sent or received