reach meaning and definition

REACH noun

Definition of reach (noun)

1. the limits within which something can be effective
   • "range of motion"; "he was beyond the reach of their fire"
   • synonyms: range
2. an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control
   • "the range of a supersonic jet"; "a piano has a greater range than the human voice"; "the ambit of municipal legislation"; "within the compass of this article"; "within the scope of an investigation"; "outside the reach of the law"; "in the political orbit of a world power"
   • synonyms: ambit, compass, orbit, range, scope
3. the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
   • synonyms: reaching, stretch
4. the limit of capability
   • "within the compass of education"
   • synonyms: compass, grasp, range

REACH verb

Definition of reach (verb)

1. reach a destination, either real or abstract
   • "We hit Detroit by noon"; "The water reached the doorstep"; "We barely made it to the finish line"; "I have to hit the MAC machine before the weekend starts"
   • synonyms: arrive at, attain, gain, hit, make
2. reach a point in time, or a certain state or level
   • "The thermometer hit 100 degrees"; "This car can reach a speed of 140 miles per hour"
   • synonyms: attain, hit
3. move forward or upward in order to touch; also in a metaphorical sense
   • "Government reaches out to the people"
   • synonyms: reach out
4. be in or establish communication with
   • "Our advertisements reach millions"; "He never contacted his children after he emigrated to Australia"
   • synonyms: contact, get hold of, get through
5. to gain with effort
   • "she achieved her goal despite setbacks"
   • synonyms: accomplish, achieve, attain
6. to extend as far as
   • "The sunlight reached the wall"; "Can he reach?" "The chair must not touch the wall"
   • synonyms: extend to, touch
7. reach a goal, e.g.
   • "make the first team"; "We made it!"; "She may not make the grade"
   • synonyms: get to, make, progress to
8. place into the hands or custody of
   • "hand me the spoon, please"; "Turn the files over to me, please"; "He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers"
   • synonyms: give, hand, pass, pass on, turn over
9. to exert much effort or energy
   • "straining our ears to hear"
   • synonyms: strain, strive