reach

1 of 2

verb

ˈrēch 

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

ˈrē-chə-bəl 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• buck
• hand
• hand over
• pass
• transfer

Noun

• breadth
• distance
• expanse
• expansion
• extent
• field
• length
• plain
• sheet
• spread
• stretch
• waste

Examples of reach in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Local health officials are working to reach everyone who may have had contact with the infected individual, and they are expected to do so in this case, said Preston Merchant, a spokesman for the San Mateo County health department. —Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024

Wind chills reached minus 36 Fahrenheit (minus 38 Celsius) that night in January 2022 as the family from India set out on foot to meet a waiting van. —Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024

Noun

After all, in terms of reach, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism have all been larger and longer-lasting than any state in history. —Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024

But Womack tacked on his third rushing TD of the game after that, and junior Chase Mehan put the game out of reach with his second rushing score in the fourth quarter. —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing reach

• achieve/reach an understanding
• beyond someone's reach
• beyond the reach of
• hit/reach rock bottom
• in reach
• in someone's reach
• long reach
• out of reach
• out of someone's reach
• out of the reach of
• reach a compromise
• reach a conclusion
• reach a consensus
• reach for
• reach for the stars
• reach its conclusion
• reach-me-down
• reach new depths
• reach one's limit
• reach out
• reach out to (someone)
• reach/realize one's full potential
• reach/shoot for the moon
• within easy reach
• within (easy) reach of
• within reach
• within someone's reach

Kids Definition

reach

1 of 2 verb

ˈrēch 

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

ˈrē-chə-bəl 

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