reached; reaching; reaches
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
3
: to hand over : pass
1
a
: to make a stretch with or as if with one's hand
b
: to strain after something
2
3
: to sail on a reach
reacher
noun
1
: a continuous stretch or expanse
especially
: a straight portion of a stream or river
2
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
Synonyms
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
Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
While not all members reach this goal, the alliance has made progress, Smith said, with 20 of the 32 members reaching that benchmark.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024
The Yankees scored an unearned run on him in the fifth on a Giancarlo Stanton double after Juan Soto reached base on an Anderson throwing error.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
This spring’s periodical cicadas will make their appearance when the soil temperature 8 inches (20 centimeters) deep reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 degrees Celsius).
—Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The duo’s folky-Americana-meets-country-soul style remains intact on the album while their singular voices reach new heights.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 29 Mar. 2024
The number of days that Chinese Coast Guard vessels sailed near the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China, reached a record high last year.
—Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, Minnesota State this year reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 2011.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Only two other new releases also reach the ranking behind the rockers.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Right now, the program counts with over 23 million households enrolled across all 50 states, territories and federally recognized tribal lands and its success, its reach and the impact of the program are absolutely unquestionable.
—Abc News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Dream big on the 29th when Mars and Neptune whisper ideas that will enhance your reach.
—Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
But unlike groups in other states, the Freedom Foundation has extended its reach by targeting school bond and levy elections, which have traditionally been local issues and are the main ways districts build and repair schools.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
But with just three games left, Florida’s franchise record of 122 points — set in 2021-2022 — is out of reach.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Though rivals have been acquiring buzzy specials, including Alex Edelman’s Just for Us on Max, Netflix devotes 10 days in May to remind the larger comedy community and its fans of both its reach and its roster, with some 300 shows across 35-plus Los Angeles venues.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
Fake elector says Mayes 'weaponizing our justice system' The Arizona electors have largely avoided public acknowledgment of the reach of Mayes' investigation, refusing to confirm if they have been subpoenaed.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Under Musk, the platform added benefits to premium subscriptions including the ability to monetize content via ads, the ability to edit posts and boosted reach.
—Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
Moreover, pre-diabetes, prehypertension, and mental health disorders are manifesting at increasingly younger ages, while the risk of obstructive sleep apnea among Indians has reached higher proportions.
—Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
While not all members reach this goal, the alliance has made progress, Smith said, with 20 of the 32 members reaching that benchmark.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024
The Yankees scored an unearned run on him in the fifth on a Giancarlo Stanton double after Juan Soto reached base on an Anderson throwing error.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
This spring’s periodical cicadas will make their appearance when the soil temperature 8 inches (20 centimeters) deep reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 degrees Celsius).
—Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The duo’s folky-Americana-meets-country-soul style remains intact on the album while their singular voices reach new heights.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 29 Mar. 2024
The number of days that Chinese Coast Guard vessels sailed near the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China, reached a record high last year.
—Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, Minnesota State this year reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 2011.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Only two other new releases also reach the ranking behind the rockers.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
By partnering with organizations like the DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) task force, Drive Square extends its reach and impact in promoting safer driving practices within communities.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Right now, the program counts with over 23 million households enrolled across all 50 states, territories and federally recognized tribal lands and its success, its reach and the impact of the program are absolutely unquestionable.
—Abc News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Dream big on the 29th when Mars and Neptune whisper ideas that will enhance your reach.
—Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
But unlike groups in other states, the Freedom Foundation has extended its reach by targeting school bond and levy elections, which have traditionally been local issues and are the main ways districts build and repair schools.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
But with just three games left, Florida’s franchise record of 122 points — set in 2021-2022 — is out of reach.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Though rivals have been acquiring buzzy specials, including Alex Edelman’s Just for Us on Max, Netflix devotes 10 days in May to remind the larger comedy community and its fans of both its reach and its roster, with some 300 shows across 35-plus Los Angeles venues.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
Fake elector says Mayes 'weaponizing our justice system' The Arizona electors have largely avoided public acknowledgment of the reach of Mayes' investigation, refusing to confirm if they have been subpoenaed.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Under Musk, the platform added benefits to premium subscriptions including the ability to monetize content via ads, the ability to edit posts and boosted reach.
—Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near reach
Cite this Entry
“Reach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reach. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reach
1 of 2 verb1
: 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
reacher
noun
reach
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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