address

1 of 2

verb

ad·​dress ə-ˈdres How to pronounce address (audio)
a-,
 also  ˈa-ˌdres
addressed; addressing; addresses

transitive verb

1
a
: to mark directions for delivery on
address a letter
b
: to consign to the care of another (such as an agent or factor)
2
a
: 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
3
a
: 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
addresser noun

address

2 of 2

noun

ad·​dress ə-ˈdres How to pronounce address (audio)
 for senses 1, 2, & 3 also  ˈa-ˌdres
1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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
5
a
: 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
6
a
: 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
Choose the Right Synonym for address

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Here’s what experts had to say about the new study and how the U.S. can address breast cancer disparities between Black and white women. Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 30 Nov. 2024 Enterprises must address these issues to deploy AI effectively and ethically. Taarini Kaur Dang, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
At least 10 gun industry businesses, including Glock, Smith & Wesson and Remington, handed over hundreds of thousands of names, addresses and other private data — without customer knowledge or consent — to the NSSF, which then entered the details into what would become a massive database. Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024 Soho is rendered as a ganglia of lines leading to hundreds of names and their addresses. Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for address 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Noun

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 4

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

Dictionary Entries Near address

Cite this Entry

“Address.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/address. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

address

1 of 2 verb
ad·​dress ə-ˈdres How to pronounce address (audio)
a-
1
a
: to direct the attention of oneself
addressed themselves to the problem
b
: to deal with
prepares to address the problem
2
a
: to communicate directly
address a petition to the governor
b
: to deliver a formal speech to
address the convention
3
: to mark directions for delivery on
address a letter
4
: to greet by a prescribed form
5
: to identify (as a computer peripheral or a piece of information) by an address or name for information transfer
addresser noun

address

2 of 2 noun
ad·​dress ə-ˈdres How to pronounce address (audio)
ˈad-ˌres
1
: manner of speaking : delivery
2
: a rehearsed speech
3
a
: a place where a person or organization can usually be reached
b
: the directions for delivery on mail
4
a
: a location (as in the memory of a computer) where particular information is stored
b
: a series of symbols (as numerals or letters) that identifies the location of information in a computer's memory or on the Internet or that specifies the source or destination of an email message

More from Merriam-Webster on address

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