reach

1 of 2

verb

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)
(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 adjective
reacher noun

reach

2 of 2

noun

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

Example Sentences

Verb 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. Noun 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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Salma Hayek is feeling pretty good about reaching a major milestone. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 18 May 2023 Butterflies also reached India, an isolated island at the time, despite the fact that it was surrounded by open sea. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 17 May 2023 Reuters could not immediately reach Li for comment and Weibo appears to have banned him from posting to his account there. Reuters, NBC News, 17 May 2023 Negotiations picked up in recent weeks as the deadline approached, though no deal has been reached. Emily Jacobs, Washington Examiner, 17 May 2023 Rung believes this suggests that PFAS could be reaching those areas from other parts of the country through air emissions. Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2023 Even if a deal is reached, the deadlock has created some uncertainty. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 17 May 2023 The battle may be reaching an equilibrium around hybrid work, where employees come into the office for part of the week. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 17 May 2023 If the two chains can’t reach an agreement, the case will move to a discovery period, where each company can make document requests and present evidence stating their case, followed by a trial and oral arguments. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 17 May 2023
Noun
Keep in Mind Although the longer handle gives it a farther reach, some users may find that a hindrance at times. Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2023 Pita’s party has campaigned on a significant program of changes that would defang the military and lessen the clout and reach of the monarchy. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 Their reach extends from the Los Angeles, where models like Elsa Hosk and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wear them repeatedly, to New York, where style experts contributing to BAZAAR's shopping coverage regularly list The Row's sandals among their recommendations. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 16 May 2023 Aside from that awkward reach across the aisle, The Album’s other attempts to dig into weightier matters have better results. Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2023 The current formula is based on U.S.-Canada subscriber numbers — with a 35% bonus meant to account for platforms’ international reach. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 May 2023 Avoiding risk China increasingly presents itself as a powerful state with global reach, but its approach to diplomacy remains cautious. Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 May 2023 And this time, those depots and command centers might have to relocate all the way to Russian soil to escape the Storm Shadow’s reach. Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 12 May 2023 Alex Ramos helped other boxers apply for their pensions, but his own is out of reach. Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reach.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reach was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near reach

Cite this Entry

“Reach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reach. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

reach

1 of 2 verb
1
: to stretch out : extend
reached out her arm
2
a
: to touch or move to touch or take by sticking out a part of the body (as the hand) or something held in the hand
couldn't reach the apple, even standing on tiptoes
reached for the catsup
b
: to extend or stretch to
their land reaches the river
c
: to get up to or as far as : come to
your letter reached me yesterday
tried to reach an agreement
d
: to communicate with
tried to reach you by phone
3
: hand entry 2 sense 2, pass
please reach me the salt
reachable adjective
reacher noun

reach

2 of 2 noun
1
: an unbroken stretch (as of a river)
2
a
: the action or an act of reaching
b
: the distance one can reach
kept it in easy reach
c
: ability to stretch so as to touch something
you have a long reach
d
: the ability to reach something as if by using the hands
a new car is beyond our reach right now

Legal Definition

reach

transitive verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on reach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!