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reach

verb \ ˈrēch \
|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of reach

reached; reaching; reaches
transitive verb
1 a : to stretch out : extend
b : thrust
2 a : to touch or grasp by extending a part of the body (such as a hand) or an object
  • couldn't reach the apple
b : to pick up and draw toward one : take
c (1) : to extend to
  • the shadow reached the wall
(2) : to get up to or as far as : come to
  • your letter reached me yesterday
  • his voice reached the last rows
  • they hoped to reach an agreement
d (1) : encompass
(2) : to make an impression on
(3) : to communicate with
3 : to hand over : pass
intransitive verb
1 a : to make a stretch with or as if with one's hand
b : to strain after something
2 a : project, extend
  • his land reaches to the river
b : to arrive at or come to something
  • as far as the eye could reach
3 : to sail on a reach
—

reachable

play \ˈrē-chə-bəl\ adjective
—

reacher

noun

See reach defined for English-language learners

See reach defined for kids

Examples of reach in a Sentence

  1. She couldn't reach the apple. She was too short.

  2. He couldn't reach the apple, even with a stick.

  3. She can't reach that far.

  4. We reached California after driving for two days.

  5. Their land reaches the river.

  6. Their land reaches to the river.

  7. The phone cord doesn't reach.

Recent Examples of reach from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of reach

Middle English rechen, from Old English rǣcan; akin to Old High German reichen to reach, Lithuanian raižytis to stretch oneself

reach Synonyms

Synonyms

affect, impact, impress, influence, move, strike, sway, tell (on), touch;

Near Antonyms

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary;

underwhelm;

Related Words

carry away, dazzle, enrapture, enthrall (or enthral), entrance, ravish, transport;

bias, color;

inspire, stir;

engage, interest, involve, penetrate, pierce;

afflict, agitate, bother, concern, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, disturb, fluster, harass, harry, perturb, pester, plague, smite, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry, wring;

allure, attract, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, fascinate;

Phrases

get to;

2

reach

noun

Definition of reach

1 : a continuous stretch or expanse; especially : a straight portion of a stream or river
2 a (1) : the action or an act of reaching
(2) : an individual part of a progression or journey
b (1) : a reachable distance
  • within reach
(2) : ability to reach
  • had a long reach
c : an extent or range especially of knowledge or comprehension
3 : a bearing shaft or coupling pole; especially : the rod joining the hind axle to the forward bolster of a wagon
4 : the tack sailed by a ship with the wind coming just forward of the beam or with the wind directly abeam or abaft the beam
5 : echelon, level —usually used in plural
  • the upper reaches of academia

See reach defined for English-language learners

Examples of reach in a Sentence

  1. The ball was just out of reach.

  2. Their goal is out of reach.

  3. The country's farthest reaches had not been explored.

  4. the upper reaches of the business

  5. the upper reaches of the river

Recent Examples of reach from the Web

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

First Known Use of reach

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

reach Synonyms

Synonyms

amplitude, breadth, compass, confines, dimension(s), extent, range, realm, scope, sweep, width;

Related Words

gamut, spectrum, spread;

bailiwick, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, province, region, specialty, sphere, terrain;

frontier;

horizon, panorama;

Other Vehicles Terms

brougham, hansom, litter, shay, skid, sledge, sulky, wain

REACH Defined for English Language Learners

reach

verb

Definition of reach for English Language Learners

  • : to be able to touch, pick up, or grab (something) by moving or stretching

  • : to move or stretch (your hand, arm, etc.) when you are trying to touch or grab something

  • : to arrive at (a place that you have been traveling to)

reach

noun

Definition of reach for English Language Learners

  • : the distance that you can stretch your arm to touch, pick up, or grab something

  • : the ability or power of someone or something to do, achieve, or control something

  • reaches : the parts of an area that are a long way from the center

REACH Defined for Kids

1

reach

verb \ ˈrēch \

Definition of reach for Students

reached; reaching
1 : to extend the arm far enough to touch or grab
  • I can't reach the top shelf.
2 : to arrive at : come
  • We should reach the border before noon.
3 : to extend or stretch to
  • Their land reaches the river.
4 : to communicate with
  • I tried to reach you by phone.
5 : to grow, develop, or increase
  • The temperature reached a record high.

Synonym Discussion of reach

reach, gain, and achieve mean to arrive at a point or end by work or effort. reach is used for arriving at something or some place by any amount of effort.
    • They reached the city after many days.
gain is used of a struggle to arrive at a goal.
    • The slaves gained their freedom.
achieve is used when skill or courage is involved.
    • The artist achieved greatness.
2

reach

noun

Definition of reach for Students

1 : the distance within which something can be touched or grabbed Keep matches out of the reach of children.
2 : the act of stretching especially to take hold of something
  • Make a reach for my hand.
3 : the probability that something can be achieved
  • Success is within reach.
4 : an unbroken stretch (as of a river)
5 : ability to stretch (as an arm) so as to touch something
  • She has a long reach.

Law Dictionary

reach

transitive verb

legal Definition of reach

1 : to extend application to
2 : to obtain an interest in or possession of
  • unable to reach all the assets of the debtor
3 a : to arrive at and consider
  • the justices did not reach that issue
b : to amount to
  • did not reach a due process violation
—

reach

noun
—

reachable

adjective

Learn More about reach

  1. See words that rhyme with reach Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reach Spanish Central: Translation of reach Nglish: Translation of reach for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reach for Arabic speakers

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