Oxford Essential Dictionary
verb (reaches, reaching, reached )
1 to arrive somewhere:
It was dark when we reached Paris.
Have you reached the end of the book yet?
2 to put out your hand to do or get something:
I reached for the telephone.
3 to be able to touch something:
Can you get that book from the top shelf for me? I can't reach.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
reach
I. reach1 S1 W1 /riːtʃ/ BrE AmE verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: ræcan]
1. DEVELOPMENT [transitive] if someone or something reaches a particular point in their development or in a process or competition, they get to that point:
Chelsea could reach the final of the European Cup.
reach the point/level/stage etc
I had reached the point where I was earning a good salary.
The kids have reached the age when they can care for themselves.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often use get to rather than reach:
▪ The kids have got to the age where they can care for themselves.
2. RATE/AMOUNT [transitive] if something reaches a particular rate, amount etc, it increases until it is at that rate or amount:
By 2008, that figure is expected to reach 7 million.
wind speeds reaching up to 180 mph
Prices rose steadily to reach record levels.
3. AGREE [transitive] to agree on something or decide something after a lot of discussion or thought
reach a decision/agreement etc
The theatre has reached an agreement with striking actors.
It took the jury three days to reach a verdict.
The talks will continue until a conclusion is reached.
4. reach a target/goal to achieve what you wanted to achieve:
We hope to reach our £1 million target by the autumn.
5. TOUCH
a) [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move your arm in order to touch or lift something with your hand:
She reached into her bag and produced a business card.
He reached down to help her to her feet.
reach for
Kelly reached for his gun.
Luisa reached out her hand to stroke the cat.
b) [intransitive, transitive not in progressive] to touch something by stretching out your arm:
It’s no good – I can’t reach.
She’s too small to reach the table.
c) [transitive] to get something from a high place by stretching up your arm
reach something down
She fell while reaching down a vase from the top shelf.
6. LENGTH/HEIGHT [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive not in progressive] to be big enough, long enough etc to get to a particular point:
The phone lead isn’t long enough to reach the bedroom.
a skirt that reaches halfway down her legs
reach as far as something/reach down to something
Her hair reaches down to her waist.
7. ARRIVE [transitive] to arrive at a place:
We reached London late at night.
The pyramids can be reached by public transport.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often use get to rather than reach:
▪ We got to the airport just in time.
▪ You can get to the pyramids by public transport.
8. SPEAK TO SOMEBODY [transitive] if you reach someone, you succeed in speaking to them on the telephone SYN contact:
I can probably reach him on his mobile.
9. BE SEEN/HEARD [transitive] if a message, television programme etc reaches a lot of people, they hear it or see it:
Cable TV reaches a huge audience.
10. INFORMATION [transitive] if information reaches you, you hear about it:
The news reached us in Lahore.
11. COMMUNICATE [transitive] to succeed in making someone understand or accept what you tell them SYN get through to:
I just can’t seem to reach Ed anymore.
12. reach for the stars to aim for something that is very difficult to achieve
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ nouns
▪ reach a point/stage I’ve reached the point in my life where I need a new challenge.
▪ reach a level He eventually reached the level of Senior Instructor.
▪ reach an age The payments will be made until the child reaches college age.
▪ reach the end Some of these power stations are reaching the end of their useful life.
▪ reach maturity (=be fully grown or developed) It takes ten years for these fish to reach maturity.
▪ reach your peak (=be the best or most successful that you will ever be ) Most players don’t reach their peak until their late twenties.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ nouns
▪ reach a decision I hope that they reach a decision soon.
▪ reach a conclusion We reached the conclusion that the man had been murdered.
▪ reach a verdict The jury failed to reach a verdict.
▪ reach an agreement/compromise/settlement (=decide on an arrangement that is acceptable to both groups) Substantial progress was made toward reaching an agreement.
▪ reach agreement/consensus (=agree about something) The experts seem unable to reach consensus on this point.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ arrive to get to the place you are going to: I arrived at the party at around 7 o'clock. | They were due to arrive home from Spain yesterday.
▪ get to arrive somewhere. Get is much more common in everyday English than arrive: What time do you usually get to work? | I’ll call you when I get home.
▪ reach to arrive somewhere, especially after a long journey: When we finally reached the port, we were all very tired.
▪ come if someone comes, they arrive at the place where you are: She came home yesterday. | What time did the plumber say he’d come?
▪ turn up (also show up) informal to arrive somewhere, especially when someone is waiting for you: I’d arranged to meet Tom, but he never turned up.
▪ roll in informal to arrive somewhere later than you should and not seem worried about it: Rebecca usually rolls in around noon.
▪ get in to arrive somewhere – used especially about people arriving home, or a plane, train etc arriving at an airport, station etc: I usually get in at around 6 o'clock. | What time did your plane get in?
▪ come in if a plane, train, or ship comes in, it arrives in the place where you are: We liked to watch the cruise ships come in.
▪ land if a plane or the passengers on it land, they arrive on the ground: We finally landed at 2 a.m. | They watched the planes taking off and landing.
reach out to somebody phrasal verb
to show people that you are interested in them and want to listen to them:
So far, his administration has failed to reach out to hard line Republicans.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
reach
reach [reach reaches reached reaching] verb, noun [riːtʃ] [riːtʃ]
verb
ARRIVE
1. transitive ~ sth/sb to arrive at the place that you have been travelling to
• They didn't reach the border until after dark.
• The beach can only be reached by boat.
• I hope this letter reaches you.
2. transitive ~ sb to come to sb's attention
• The rumours eventually reached the President.
LEVEL/SPEED/STAGE
3. transitive ~ sth to increase to a particular level, speed, etc. over a period of time
• The conflict has now reached a new level of intensity.
• Daytime temperatures can reach 40°C.
4. transitive ~ sth to arrive at a particular point or stage of sth after a period of time
• He first reached the finals in 2008.
• His parents have not yet reached retirement age.
• The negotiations have reached deadlock.
ACHIEVE AIM
5. transitive ~ sth to achieve a particular aim
Syn: arrive at
• to reach a conclusion/decision/verdict/compromise
• Politicians again failed to reach an agreement.
see also far-reaching
WITH HAND/ARM
6. intransitive, transitive to stretch your hand towards sth in order to touch it, pick it up, etc
• + adv./prep. She reached inside her bag for a pen.
• He reached across the table to squeeze her hand.
• ~ sth + adv./prep. He reached out his hand to touch her.
7. intransitive, transitive to be able to stretch your hand far enough in order to touch sth, pick sth up, etc
• (+ adv./prep.) ‘Grab the end of the rope.’ ‘I can't reach that far!’
• ~ sth Can you reach the light switch from where you're sitting?
8. transitive to stretch your hand out or up in order to get sth for sb
• ~ sth (down) for sb Can you reach that box down for me?
• ~ sb (down) sth Can you reach me down that box?
BE LONG ENOUGH
9. intransitive, transitive to be big enough, long enough, etc. to arrive at a particular point
• + adv./prep. The carpet only reached halfway across the room.
• ~ sth Is the cable long enough to reach the socket?
CONTACT SB
10. transitive ~ sb to communicate with sb, especially by telephone
• Do you know where I can reach him?
BE SEEN/HEARD BY SB
11. transitive ~ sb to be seen or heard by sb
• Through television and radio we are able to reach a wider audience.
more at sth comes to/reaches sb's ears at ear
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
Old English rǣcan, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch reiken and German reichen.
Thesaurus:
reach verb
1. T (especially written)
• It took them three hours to reach the shore.
arrive • |especially spoken get • • make • • make it • |informal hit •
reach/arrive/get/make it here/there/home
reach/arrive at/get to/make it to your destination
reach/get to/make/make it to the summit
reach/arrive at/get to/make it to/hit the border
2. T
• Politicians again failed to reach an agreement.
arrive at sth • • achieve • • accomplish • |BrE fulfil • |AmE fulfill • |informal pull sth off • • get there • |formal attain • • effect •
reach/achieve/accomplish/fulfil/attain a/an goal/objective
reach/achieve/fulfil/attain a target
reach/arrive at/achieve a/an agreement/result
reach/pull off/attain a deal
3. I, T
• Is the cable long enough to reach the power supply?
stretch • • go • • extend • • lead •
reach/stretch/go/extend/lead beyond/across sth
reach/stretch/go/extend/lead from sth to sth
Example Bank:
• A hand reached down to help her up the ladder.
• He had barely reached the door when he collapsed.
• He instinctively reached for his camera.
• He reached into his bag and took out a book.
• He reached out gingerly to touch it.
• Her skirt almost reached the ground.
• His hair reached halfway to his waist.
• I can't reach the top shelf.
• I reached inside my pocket for a pen.
• Profits are expected to reach £2 billion this year.
• She had arranged her desk so that she could reach everything easily.
• She reached blindly for the light switch.
• She reached for the telephone and picked it up.
• Slowly he reached out and picked up the gun.
• The city's population had nearly reached a million by 1920.
• The cost can easily reach six figures.
• The jury was unable to reach a verdict.
• Doctors cannot reach an accurate diagnosis if they do not have all the relevant information.
• Greater efforts are needed to reach the goal of universal education.
• Having reached your destination, you should record your exact time of arrival.
• Is the cable long enough to reach the power supply?
• It took them three hours to reach the opposite shore.
• It was almost midnight when I reached home.
• Politicians again failed to reach an agreement.
• The jury took two days to reach a verdict.
• We didn't reach the border until the next day.
• When we reach the top we'll have a rest.
• You can reach me at this number.
Idioms: reach for the stars ▪ within reach
Derived: reach out to somebody
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
reach / riːtʃ / verb (ARRIVE)
B1 [ T ] to arrive at a place, especially after spending a long time or a lot of effort travelling:
We won't reach Miami till five or six o'clock.
They finally reached the coast after five weeks sailing.
News of his accident had only just reached us.
reach a decision, agreement, conclusion, etc. B2 to make a decision, agreement, etc. about something:
She reached the conclusion that there was no more she could do.
We'll inform you when a decision has been reached.
The jury took four days to reach a verdict.
reach / riːtʃ / verb [ T ] (LEVEL)
B2 to get to a particular level, especially a high one:
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.
reach / riːtʃ / verb (STRETCH)
B2 [ I or T ] to stretch out your arm in order to get or touch something:
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?
[ I or T ] If an object reaches something, the top or bottom of it touches that thing:
The ladder won't quite reach the top of the wall.
She was wearing a dress that reached ( to ) her ankles.
reach / riːtʃ / verb (COMMUNICATE)
B2 [ T ] to communicate with someone in a different place, especially by phone or email:
I've been trying to reach you on the phone all day.
[ T ] to understand and communicate with someone:
He's a strange child and his teachers find it difficult to reach him.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
reach
[ri͟ːtʃ]
♦
reaches, reaching, reached
1) VERB When someone or something reaches a place, they arrive there.
[V n] He did not stop until he reached the door...
[V n] When the bus reached High Holborn, Tony rang the bell and they jumped off together...
[V n] He reached Cambridge shortly before three o'clock.
Syn:
get to
2) VERB If someone or something has reached a certain stage, level, or amount, they are at that stage, level, or amount.
[V n] The process of political change in South Africa has reached the stage where it is irreversible...
[V n] The Belgian player Eduardo Masso has reached the final of the Dutch Open in Hilversum...
[V n] We're told the figure could reach 100,000 next year.
Syn:
get to
3) VERB If you reach somewhere, you move your arm and hand to take or touch something.
[V prep/adv] Judy reached into her handbag and handed me a small printed leaflet...
[V prep/adv] I reached across the table and squeezed his hand...
[V prep/adv] One day while he was bathing in a river, he reached up for an overhanging branch.
Syn:
stretch
4) VERB If you can reach something, you are able to touch it by stretching out your arm or leg.
[V n] Can you reach your toes with your fingertips?
5) VERB If you try to reach someone, you try to contact them, usually by telephone.
[V n] Has the doctor told you how to reach him or her in emergencies?...
[V n] If I see her, I'll tell her you've been trying to reach her.
Syn:
contact
6) VERB If something reaches a place, point, or level, it extends as far as that place, point, or level.
[V to n] ...a nightshirt which reached to his knees...
[V n] The water level in Lake Taihu has reached record levels...
[V n] Eventually those ideas should reach the capital city.
7) VERB When people reach an agreement or a decision, they succeed in achieving it.
[V n] A meeting of agriculture ministers in Luxembourg today has so far failed to reach agreement over farm subsidies...
[V n] They are meeting in Lusaka in an attempt to reach a compromise.
8) N-UNCOUNT: oft poss N Someone's or something's reach is the distance or limit to which they can stretch, extend, or travel.
Isabelle placed a wine cup on the table within his reach.
...a heavyweight who possesses a longer reach and more strength.
...long-handled shears, secateurs and long-reach tree pruners.
9) N-UNCOUNT If a place or thing is within reach, it is possible to have it or get to it. If it is out of reach, it is not possible to have it or get to it.
It is located within reach of many important Norman towns, including Bayeux...
The clothes they model for Littlewoods are all within easy reach of every woman...
These products are normally bought and stored carefully out of reach of children...
The price is ten times what it normally is and totally beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1reach /ˈriːʧ/ verb reach·es; reached; reach·ing
1 a : to be able to touch, pick up, or grab (something) by moving or stretching
[+ obj]
• She couldn't reach the apple. She was too short.
• He couldn't reach the apple, even with a stick.
• Can you reach me that pencil? = Can you reach that pencil for me? [=can you pick up that pencil and give it to me?]
[no obj]
• It's no good. I can't reach. [=I can't touch what I'm trying to touch]
b : to move or stretch (your hand, arm, etc.) when you are trying to touch or grab something
[+ obj]
- + out, into, up, etc.
• I reached my hand out (to her). = I reached out my hand (to her).
• She reached her hand into her purse to get her wallet.
[no obj]
• She can't reach that far.
- usually + out, into, up, etc.
• I reached up to pull the cord.
• She reached into her purse.
• He was reaching out to grab the railing when he fell.
2 [+ obj] : to arrive at (a place that you have been traveling to)
• We reached California after driving for two days.
• The rescue team reached the stranded hikers this morning. [=the rescue team arrived this morning at the place where the hikers were stranded]
- often used figuratively
• He reached [=got to] the play-offs but was eliminated in the first round.
3
- used to say that something is big or long enough to touch a certain place or point;
[+ obj]
• Their land reaches the river.
• The phone cord doesn't reach the table. = The phone cord isn't long enough to reach the table.
• When she is sitting, her feet don't reach the ground. [=her feet don't touch the ground because her legs are short]
[no obj]
• Skirts must reach (down) below the knees.
• Their land reaches to the river.
• The phone cord doesn't reach.
4 [+ obj]
a : to grow, develop, or increase to (a particular amount, size, etc.)
• You are an adult when you reach [=become] 18.
• The lottery is expected to reach $50 million.
• The temperature could reach 100°F this afternoon.
• These plants can reach (up to) 6 feet tall.
• The winds could reach 60 mph.
b : to come to (a particular situation or condition)
• The situation has reached [=gotten to, arrived at] a critical point.
• We've reached a crisis in the negotiations.
c : to succeed in achieving (something) after making an effort over a period of time
• The school has reached their goal of raising $10,000.
• They are still trying to reach an agreement.
• Have you reached a decision?
• Has the jury reached a verdict?
5 not used in the progressive tenses [+ obj]
a : to be seen or heard by (someone)
• Your letter reached me yesterday. [=I received your letter yesterday]
• The news just reached us. [=we just heard the news]
• The news won't reach his parents until tomorrow.
• She left a message for her boss, but it didn't reach him.
b : to call or write to (someone) : to communicate with (someone)
• I tried to reach [=contact] you by phone.
• You can reach me by e-mail.
6 [+ obj] : to get the attention or interest of (someone)
• The company is using TV commercials to reach a bigger audience.
• Her music reaches young people.
7 [+ obj] informal : to make (someone) understand or accept something
• I don't think I'm reaching my son.
reach for [phrasal verb]
1 reach for (someone or something) : to move your hand in order to get or touch (someone or something)
• She reached for the salt and pepper.
• He reached into his pocket for a dime.
• She reached inside the bag for a pen.
• The frog jumped as she reached for it.
2 reach for (something) : to try hard to achieve or succeed at (something)
• Success won't come to you, you have to reach for it.
- see also reach for the moon at 1moon reach for the stars at 1star
reach out [phrasal verb]
1 : to make an effort to do something for other people
• The church is reaching out to help the poor.
2 reach out to (someone)
a : to offer help or support to (someone)
• The students are reaching out to the homeless.
• a community reaching out to refugees
b : to try to get the attention and interest of (someone)
• He's reaching out to young voters.
- reach·able /ˈriːʧəbəl/ adj
• The island is only reachable by boat.
• a reachable goal
• She is always reachable by cell phone.
• Some children are just not reachable. [=some children refuse to accept what their parents, teachers, etc., tell them]