26984 words

reach

30 definitions • 54 examples
1
to arrive at a place, especially after spending a long time or a lot of effort travelling:

Examples:

We won't reach Miami until five or six o'clock.
They finally reached the coast after five weeks sailing.
News of his accident had only just reached us.
2
to make a decision, agreement, etc. about something:

Examples:

She reached the conclusion that there was no more she could do.
3
to get to a particular level, especially a high one:

Examples:

The temperature is expected to reach 30°C today.
He's just reached the grand old age of 95.
I've reached the point where I'm not going to put up with her criticisms of me any more.
4
to stretch out your arm in order to get or touch something:

Examples:

She's grown so tall that she can reach the door handle now.
He reached for the phone and knocked over a glass.
The child reached down/out/over and picked up the kitten.
He reached his hand out for the money.
[ + two objects ] UK Can you reach me (down) that book?
5
If an object reaches something, the top or bottom of it touches that thing:

Examples:

The ladder won't quite reach the top of the wall.
She was wearing a dress that reached (to) her ankles.
6
to communicate with someone in a different place, especially by phone or email:

Examples:

I've been trying to reach you on the phone all day.
7
to understand and communicate with someone:

Examples:

He's a strange child and his teachers find it difficult to reach him.
8
Your reach is the distance within which you can stretch out your arm and touch something:

Examples:

I like to keep a notebook and pencil within (arm's) reach.
The top shelf is within/out of (his) reach.
Make sure that you keep all dangerous substances out of the reach of the children.
9
the distance that can be travelled, especially easily:

Examples:

We live within (easy) reach of the station.
10
the length of your arm when you stretch it out:

Examples:

You've got quite a long reach - can you get that box down from the top shelf for me?
11
an act of stretching out your arm:

Examples:

He made a sudden reach for his gun.
12
the limit within which someone can achieve something:

Examples:

An expensive trip like that would be completely beyond/out of (my) reach (= I would not have enough money to pay for it).
After years of saving, the car was at last within (her) reach (= she had enough money to pay for it).
13
a part of a river or part of an area of land:

Examples:

upper reaches of The expedition set out for the upper reaches of the Amazon.
14

Examples:

upper reaches of The news has shocked the upper reaches of the government.
15

Examples:

The storm continues to move west and is expected to reach the east coast of Florida tomorrow.
16

Examples:

The temperature is expected to reach 90° today.
The government fears unemployment will reach 10%.
17
To reach is also to develop to a stage in order to achieve a particular result:

Examples:

We hope to reach agreement soon on the new trade policy.
They reached the conclusion that nothing further could be done.
18
to stretch out your arm to its full length in order to take or touch something:

Examples:

[ T ] Our little girl isn’t tall enough to reach the light switches.
[ I always + adv/prep ] The receptionist reached for the phone.
[ I always + adv/prep ] She reached across the table and took his hand.
19
If an object reaches something, the top or bottom of it touches that thing:

Examples:

[ T ] The ladder won’t quite reach the roof.
20
to communicate with someone in another place, usually by telephone:

Examples:

I’ve been trying to reach you all afternoon, but your phone was busy.
21
the distance to which you can put out your arm and touch something:

Examples:

All medicines should be kept out of the reach of children.
22
to get to a particular high or higher level:

Examples:

Profits are expected to reach $11.2 billion in the hotel industry next year.
reach a record/an all-time high Stocks reached a record 10-month high.
23
to succeed in advertising or selling a product or service to a particular group of people:

Examples:

The internet is a major tool for reaching new customers.
24
to achieve something after careful thought or discussion:

Examples:

reach a compromise/deal
25
to make an agreement after careful thought or discussion:
26
to communicate with someone in a different place, especially by phone or email:

Examples:

He's out of the office right now, but I'll try and reach him on his cellphone.
If you can't get through on the phone, you can always reach us by email.
27
the number of people that a company is able to advertise or sell a product or service to:

Examples:

The company's reach has expanded from 170 million users last year to more than 500 million this year.
expand/extend/increase your reach The merger will double the size of the company and extend its reach into larger markets in six additional states.
28

Examples:

the higher/lower/upper reaches of sth Many shares on the lower reaches of the stock market have enjoyed a buoyant run.
29
that someone is not able to get or buy:

Examples:

Now even small starter homes are priced out of the reach of low-income working people.
30
that someone is able to get or buy:

Examples:

She felt that the job she had always wanted was finally within reach.
A high percentage of these homes are within financial reach of moderate-income families.

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