What does reach mean?
Reach is a versatile verb and noun used for physical movement, arrival, communication, and achievement. Physically, to reach means to stretch out the hand or arm toward something, or to move as far as a person or vehicle can go. It also means to arrive at a destination or make contact with someone: a train reaches the station at noon, and a friend reaches out by email. More figuratively, reaching can mean attaining a goal, persuading someone, or influencing a particular group. As a noun, a reach describes an act of extending or arriving, but it is especially common in phrases such as within reach and out of reach, where it indicates how close something is to being obtainable or attainable. The word is standard in formal and informal English and works across everyday, professional, and literary contexts.
To extend the hand or arm toward or into something; to arrive at or get to a place, person, or destination; to attain or achieve something; or to make contact with someone.
"They reached the shore before the storm arrived."
The verb is used in literal, figurative, and communication-related senses.
The act of stretching out, arriving, or making contact; or the distance or range within which someone can get to or affect something.
"The old library is within easy reach of the train station."
The noun is especially common in the expressions within reach and out of reach.
The plural is used for separate acts or instances of reaching, and also for remote or extended areas, especially in phrases such as the outer reaches of the region.
"The expedition gradually extended its reaches into previously unexplored territory."
The word reach comes from an Old English verb meaning to stretch out the hand, so its modern sense still carries the image of extending toward something just beyond your grasp.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reach come from?
The word descends from Old English rǣcan, meaning to stretch out the hand or arm, and ultimately from a Germanic root associated with extending or moving forward. In Middle English, its meanings broadened to include arriving at a place and obtaining or attaining something. The modern form is related to cognates such as German reichen and Dutch reiken, which also developed from the same Germanic origin.
Related word forms
How reach is actually used
The verb is extremely common in both formal and informal contexts. In expressions such as within reach and out of reach, it often refers metaphorically to availability, possibility, or access.
Easily confused with reach
Reach means to extend the hand or attain something, whereas retch means to make a sound or movement associated with nausea.