reaches

Noun

reach (countable and uncountable, plural reaches)

1. The act of stretching or extending; extension.
2. The ability to reach or touch with the person, a limb, or something held or thrown.
   • The fruit is beyond my reach.
3. The power of stretching out or extending action, influence, or the like; power of attainment or management; extent of force or capacity.
   • Drawn by others who had deeper reaches than themselves to matters which they least intended.a. 1628 (date written), John Hayward, The Life, and Raigne of King Edward the Sixt, London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press, and J. Lichfield at Oxford?] for Iohn Partridge, […], published 1630, →OCLC
4. Extent; stretch; expanse; hence, application; influence; result; scope.
   • And on the left hand, hell, / With long reach, interposed.1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker...
5. (informal) An exaggeration; an extension beyond evidence or normal; a stretch.
   • To call George eloquent is certainly a reach.
6. The distance a boxer's arm can extend to land a blow.

See all 32 meanings of reach