reaches; reached; reaching
1
a
: to be able to touch, pick up, or grab (something) by moving or stretching
She couldn't reach the apple. She was too short.
He couldn't reach the apple, even with a stick.
Can you reach me that pencil? = Can you reach that pencil for me? [=can you pick up that pencil and give it to me?]
It's no good. I can't reach. [=I can't touch what I'm trying to touch]
b
: to move or stretch (your hand, arm, etc.) when you are trying to touch or grab something
—+ out, into, up, etc.
I reached my hand out (to her). = I reached out my hand (to her).
She reached her hand into her purse to get her wallet.
She can't reach that far.
—usually + out, into, up, etc.I reached up to pull the cord.
She reached into her purse.
He was reaching out to grab the railing when he fell.
2
: to arrive at (a place that you have been traveling to)
We reached California after driving for two days.
The rescue team reached the stranded hikers this morning. [=the rescue team arrived this morning at the place where the hikers were stranded]
—often used figurativelyHe reached [=got to] the play-offs but was eliminated in the first round.
3
—used to say that something is big or long enough to touch a certain place or point
Their land reaches the river.
The phone cord doesn't reach the table. = The phone cord isn't long enough to reach the table.
When she is sitting, her feet don't reach the ground. [=her feet don't touch the ground because her legs are short]
Skirts must reach (down) below the knees.
Their land reaches to the river.
The phone cord doesn't reach.
4
a
: to grow, develop, or increase to (a particular amount, size, etc.)
You are an adult when you reach [=become] 18.
The lottery is expected to reach $50 million.
The temperature could reach 100°F this afternoon.
These plants can reach (up to) 6 feet tall.
The winds could reach 60 mph.
b
: to come to (a particular situation or condition)
The situation has reached [=gotten to, arrived at] a critical point.
We've reached a crisis in the negotiations.
c
: to succeed in achieving (something) after making an effort over a period of time
The school has reached their goal of raising $10,000.
They are still trying to reach an agreement.
Have you reached a decision?
Has the jury reached a verdict?
5
not used in the progressive tenses
a
: to be seen or heard by (someone)
Your letter reached me yesterday. [=I received your letter yesterday]
The news just reached us. [=we just heard the news]
The news won't reach his parents until tomorrow.
She left a message for her boss, but it didn't reach him.
b
: to call or write to (someone) : to communicate with (someone)
I tried to reach [=contact] you by phone.
You can reach me by e-mail.
6
: to get the attention or interest of (someone)
The company is using TV commercials to reach a bigger audience.
Her music reaches young people.
7
informal
: to make (someone) understand or accept something
I don't think I'm reaching my son.
plural reaches
1
: the distance that you can stretch your arm to touch, pick up, or grab something
The toy was within/in her reach. [=she was able to touch/reach the toy]
Keep chemicals out of the reach of [=away from] children.
The ball was just out of her reach. [=she was not quite able to touch or grab the ball]
The ball was beyond her reach. [=the ball was too far away for her to grab]
The boxer has a long reach. [=can reach a long way; has long arms]
He kept a dictionary within reach. [=nearby]
The child tried to grab anything in reach. [=anything that was close enough to touch]
The ball was just out of reach.
2
: the ability or power of someone or something to do, achieve, or control something
Victory was within their reach. [=they were close to victory]
Buying a new car is beyond our reach right now. [=we do not have enough money to buy a new car right now]
His illness was beyond the reach of medicine. [=medicine could not cure his illness]
Victory was within reach.
Their goal is out of reach.
3
a
: the parts of an area that are a long way from the center
The country's farthest reaches had not been explored.
—often + ofthe outer reaches of the universe
the further reaches of the valley
the northern reaches of the country
—sometimes used figurativelyScientists are still discovering the far reaches of the human mind.
b
: levels of an organization
the upper/higher/lower reaches of the business
c
: a straight part of a stream or river
the upper/lower reaches of the river
Cite this Entry
“Reach.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/reach. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.
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