Definition - Reach

reach |rē ch |verb1 [ intrans. ] stretch out an arm in a specified direction in order to touch or graspsomething : he reached over and turned off his bedside light.• ( reach for) make a movement with one's hand or arm in an attempt totouch or grasp (something) : Carl reached for the phone.• [ trans. ] ( reach something out) stretch out one's hand or arm : he reachedout a hand and touched her forehead.• [with two objs. ] hand (something) to (someone) : reach me those glasses.• [ intrans. ] be able to touch something with an outstretched arm or leg : I had to stand on tiptoe and even then I could hardly reach.• ( reach out) extend help, understanding, or influence : he felt such an urge to reach out to his fellow sufferer.2 [ trans. ] arrive at; get as far as : “Goodbye,” she said as they reached the door | the show is due to reach our screens early next year.• attain or extend to (a specified point, level, or condition) : unemployment reached a peak in 1933 | [ intrans. ] in its native habitat it will reach to about 6 m in height.• succeed in achieving : the intergovernmental conference reached agreement on the draft treaty.• make contact or communicate with (someone) by telephone or other means :I've been trying to reach you all morning.• (of a broadcast or other communication) be received by : television reached those parts of the electorate that other news sources could not.• succeed in influencing or having an effect on : their fresh sound and message reach people who may never set foot in a church.3 [ intrans. ] Sailing sail with the wind blowing from the side, or from slightly behind the side, of the ship.noun1 an act of reaching out with one's arm : she made a reach for him.• [in sing. ] the distance to which someone can stretch out their hand (used esp. of a boxer) : a giant, over six feet seven with a reach of over 81 inches.• the extent or range of application, effect, or influence : the diameter and the reach of the spark plug varies from engine to engine.See note at range .2 (often reaches) a continuous extent of land or water, esp. a stretch of river between two bends, or the part of a canal between locks : the upper reaches of the Nile.3 Sailing a distance traversed in reaching.PHRASESout of (or beyond) reach outside the distance to which someone can stretch out their hand. • beyond the capacity of someone to attain or achieve something : she thought college was out of her reach.within (or in) reach inside the distance to which someone can stretch out their hand. • inside a distance that can be traveled : Rocky Mountain National Park iswithin easy reach of the city of Denver. • within the capacity of someone to attain or achieve something.DERIVATIVESreachable |ˈritʃəbəl| adjectiveORIGIN Old English rǣcan; related to Dutch reiken and German reichen.