- 1 [singular, uncountable] the distance over which you can stretch your arms to touch something; the distance over which a particular object can be used to touch something else As a boxer, his long reach gives him a significant advantage. The ball was well beyond the reach of the outfielder. Cleaning fluids should be kept out of the reach of children. He lashed out angrily, hitting anyone within his reach. Use shears with a long reach for cutting high hedges. of power/influence
- 2[singular, uncountable] the limit to which someone or something has the power or influence to do something Such matters are beyond the reach of the law. Victory is now out of her reach. The basic model is priced well within the reach of most people. The company has now overtaken IBM in terms of size and reach. of river
- 3 [countable, usually plural] a straight section of water between two bends on a river the upper/lower reaches of the Mississippi (= the part that is farthest from/nearest to the ocean) place far from center
- 4 reaches [plural] the outer, further, etc. reach of something the parts of an area or a place that are a long way from the center the outer reaches of space the eastern reaches of the mountain range (figurative) an exploration of the deepest reaches of the human mind sections of organization
- 5 reaches [plural] the higher, lower, etc. reach of something the higher, etc. sections of an organization, a system, etc. There are still few women in the upper reaches of business. Many franchises in the lower reaches of the league are in financial difficulty. Idioms
of armsnounjump to other results
close to something The house is within easy reach of schools and sports facilities. Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery are both within easy reach for day trips.
within (easy) reach (of something)jump to other results