approach

1 of 2

verb

ap·​proach ə-ˈprōch How to pronounce approach (audio)
approached; approaching; approaches

transitive verb

1
a
: to draw closer to : near
approach a destination
b
: to come very near to : to be almost the same as
… its mathematics approaches mysticism.Theodore Sturgeon
as the quantity x approaches zero
2
a
: to make advances to especially in order to create a desired result
was approached by several Broadway producers
b
: to take preliminary steps toward accomplishment or full knowledge or experience of
Try to approach the subject with an open mind.

intransitive verb

1
: to draw nearer
The time is fast approaching.
2
: to make an approach in golf

approach

2 of 2

noun

plural approaches
1
a
: an act or instance of approaching
the approach of summer
b
: approximation
In this book he makes his closest approach to greatness.
2
a
: the taking of preliminary steps toward a particular purpose
experimenting with new lines of approach
b
: a particular manner of taking such steps
a highly individual approach to language
3
: a means of access : avenue
4
a
or approach shot : a golf shot from the fairway toward the green
b
: the steps taken by a bowler before delivering the ball
also : the part of the alley behind the foul line from which the bowler delivers the ball
5
: the descent of an aircraft toward a landing place
The plane was on final approach.
6
: the surgical procedure or path by which access is gained to a bodily part
A lateral approach was used to direct a 25-gauge, 10-cm spinal needle onto the articular pillar adjacent to the target joint.Leslie Barnsley et al.

Examples of approach in a Sentence

Verb The cat approached the baby cautiously. Ease off the gas pedal to slow down as the bend in the road approaches. We are approaching the end of the fiscal year. This weekend we're expecting temperatures approaching 100 degrees. The success rates approach 90 percent. He has a wild laugh that sometimes approaches hysteria. a reproduction that approaches the quality of the original painting The supervisor is quite easy to approach, so don't hesitate to bring up any problems you have. We were advised to never be too aggressive when approaching a potential client. Noun trying a more healthy approach The cat made a cautious approach. The quiet afternoon was interrupted by the approach of a motorboat. A loud growl warned us of the bear's approach. With the approach of summer came longer, hotter days.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The suspect approached another victim, punched them one or two times on the nose and fled the scene. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 The Schumacher family approached Christie’s more than a year ago to determine the value of some of the watches in the former driver’s collection, according to Guillemin. Andy Hoffman, Fortune Europe, 20 Mar. 2024 As the comet approaches the sun, the ice begins to turn to gas that can burst out of the comet in a cloud of dust that creates a huge, fuzzy cloud around the nucleus called the coma. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 Ohio Senate primary polling The race remained close as election day approached. Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 19 Mar. 2024 During a board meeting for the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory in Massachusetts, Robert Zimmer, then the president of the University of Chicago, approached him about serving on the Giant Magellan’s board. Katrina Miller, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Using four separate brokers, the lawyers approached more than two dozen companies that provide appellate bonds, including Chubb and Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate run for decades by Warren Buffett, Garten said. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2024 Then Austin Butler approached him, eager to compliment Friend’s recent Elvis impression as Friend broke into song in the actor’s husky drawl. Jake Kring-Schreifels, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Now, many are approaching retirement, with the swap meet in decline as customers migrate to the internet. Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
Her message is a blend of professional knowledge and personal observations, aimed at inspiring a proactive approach to aging well. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 This is why most efforts fail–and why lasting progress requires eliminating all of the rules and then starting fresh with a new approach. Bill Anderson, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 Bracey underscores the strategic choice of adopting a hybrid approach to cultivate a culture that values humanity, purpose, and accountability. Ebony Flake, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 The handiwork of famous designer Bruno Putzeys, Mola Mola’s take-no-prisoners approach to sound has earned the company accolades in the audio press. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 Topics will include safety, planning and the technical approach to getting great photos from the eclipse. Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2024 The 1900 Broadway high-rise represents one type of unique approach developers are taking to attract residents at a time when skyrocketing interest rates, inflation and an uncertain economy loom over the real estate market — even housing towers. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 This approach reveals the web of deceit and the contradictions inherent to the crisis pregnancy center missions and the broader pro-life movement. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 Alaska provides an example of how this approach can skew results. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'approach.' 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 and Noun

Middle English approchen, from Anglo-French aprocher, from Late Latin appropiare, from Latin ad- + prope near; akin to Latin pro before — more at for

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of approach was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near approach

Cite this Entry

“Approach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approach. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

approach

1 of 2 verb
ap·​proach ə-ˈprōch How to pronounce approach (audio)
1
: to come near or nearer
2
: to begin to deal with
approach a problem

approach

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of approaching
2
: a beginning step toward an end
3
: way of dealing with something
try a new approach
4
: a way (as a path or road) to get to some place

Medical Definition

approach

noun
ap·​proach ə-ˈprōch How to pronounce approach (audio)
: the surgical procedure by which access is gained to a bodily part

More from Merriam-Webster on approach

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