reach

verb \ ˈrēch \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: reach in a Sentence

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

She couldn't reach the apple. She was too short.
He couldn't reach the apple, even with a stick.
She can't reach that far.
We reached California after driving for two days.
Their land reaches the river.
Their land reaches to the river.
The phone cord doesn't reach.

Recent Examples of reach from the Web

For more information, visit CBNC’s website or reach them at their email cbnc247@gmail.com.

— ita tsai, chicagotribune.com, "Internationally educated nurses to help with the US nursing shortage," 13 July 2018
Less than a week later, I was sent to the hospital and couldn’t’ reach him.

— kathleen joyce, Fox News, "Miranda Lambert's rumored beau Evan Felker 'ghosted' wife after health scare, ex claims," 13 July 2018
In its application, Ascension said its Shorewood Family Physicians clinic has reached its physical capacity and is not able to accommodate any additional growth.

— jeff rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Former Sendik's building in Shorewood could become medical clinic," 13 July 2018
The figure is non-binding, and the goal was to reach it by 2024, not immediately.

— tessa berenson/brussels, Time, "'NATO Is Much Stronger Now': Trump Claims Victory After Contentious Summit," 12 July 2018
The train had reached speeds of as much as 50 miles per hour, authorities said, according to the Norwalk Reflector.

— scott berson, charlotteobserver, "Train-hoppers call 911 clinging to locomotive: ‘It’s going really, really fast!’," 12 July 2018
And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the number sickened in the outbreak has reached 100 people in 33 states, the two latest states with ill people being Colorado and Florida.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Recalled cereal in expanding salmonella outbreak illegally still being sold, FDA says," 12 July 2018
Days after torrential rains, floods, and landslides in parts of Japan, the death toll has reached 176 with more than 50 people still unaccounted for.

— emily bloch, Teen Vogue, "Floods in Japan Leave at Least 176 People Dead," 11 July 2018
After Pfizer deferred hefty price hikes under pressure from President Trump, a lawmaker is asking the company and the administration to explain the details of any agreements that may have been reached as part of the sudden about-face.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Lawmaker wants to know if Trump and Pfizer cut any secret deals," 11 July 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

reach Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary;

underwhelm;

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;

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

The ball was just out of reach.
Their goal is out of reach.
The country's farthest reaches had not been explored.
the upper reaches of the business
the upper reaches of the river

Recent Examples of reach from the Web

Probably only in this area can the EU be considered a superpower, and its global reach has been growing.

— stephen fidler, WSJ, "Trump’s Criticism of May’s Brexit Plan Zeroes In on Trade Reality," 13 July 2018
Many of Peterson’s fans reassure themselves that there’s a seam of genius here buried beyond their reach, that there’s so much damn context that even a true believer can only ever see it all through a glass, darkly.

— laurie penny, Longreads, "Peterson’s Complaint," 12 July 2018
Today, the warm, decidedly exotic hue popular throughout the 70s is popping up again, and according to experts, its reach has extended far beyond floor tiles, shag carpets and outdoor planters.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "WATCH: The Hottest Color on Pinterest Right Now is Hardly New," 11 July 2018
The Taliban have meanwhile expanded their reach in the countryside.

— Washington Post, "Peace in Afghanistan more elusive as Taliban shrug off talks," 11 July 2018
Both the Walt Disney Company and Comcast have bid to buy most of Fox’s entertainment assets, including Sky and another growing international business, Star India, which would help increase their global reach.

— New York Times, "Comcast and Fox Engage in Bidding War for Control of Sky," 11 July 2018
They were set down in front of Webster, just out of his reach, and the officers watched him, waiting for the confession.

— paul collins, BostonGlobe.com, "What lies in the lab: The gruesome murder at Harvard that transfixed New England," 11 July 2018
The Taliban have meanwhile expanded their reach in the countryside.

— rahim faiez, Fox News, "Peace in Afghanistan more elusive as Taliban shrug off talks," 11 July 2018
With 25 homers going into the final week of the first half, a second straight 50-homer campaign is within his reach.

— michael beller, SI.com, "A Look at The Fantasy All-Stars Who Should Find Themselves in D.C.," 9 July 2018

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

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.

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

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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reach

Definition of reach

reachable

reacher

Examples of reach in a Sentence

Recent Examples of reach from the Web

Origin and Etymology of reach

reach Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

reach

Definition of reach

Examples of reach in a Sentence

Recent Examples of reach from the Web

First Known Use of reach

reach Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Vehicles Terms

REACH Defined for English Language Learners

reach

Definition of reach for English Language Learners

reach

Definition of reach for English Language Learners

REACH Defined for Kids

reach

Definition of reach for Students

Synonym Discussion of reach

reach

Definition of reach for Students

Law Dictionary

reach

legal Definition of reach

reach

reachable

Learn More about reach

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