2reach noun
plural reaches 1 : the distance that you can stretch your arm to touch, pick up, or grab something [singular] ▪ The toy was within/in her reach. [=she was able to touch/reach the toy] ▪ Keep chemicals out of the reach of [=away from] children. ▪ The ball was just out of her reach. [=she was not quite able to touch or grab the ball] ▪ The ball was beyond her reach. [=the ball was too far away for her to grab] ▪ The boxer has a long reach. [=can reach a long way; has long arms] [noncount] ▪ He kept a dictionary within reach. [=nearby] ▪ The child tried to grab anything in reach. [=anything that was close enough to touch] ▪ The ball was just out of reach. 2 : the ability or power of someone or something to do, achieve, or control something [singular] ▪ Victory was within their reach. [=they were close to victory] ▪ Buying a new car is beyond our reach right now. [=we do not have enough money to buy a new car right now] ▪ His illness was beyond the reach of medicine. [=medicine could not cure his illness] [noncount] ▪ Victory was within reach. ▪ Their goal is out of reach. 3 reaches [plural] a : the parts of an area that are a long way from the center
▪ The country's farthest reaches had not been explored. — often + of ▪ the outer reaches of the universe ▪ the further reaches of the valley ▪ the northern reaches of the country — sometimes used figuratively ▪ Scientists are still discovering the far reaches of the human mind.
b : levels of an organization
▪ the upper/higher/lower reaches of the business
c : a straight part of a stream or river
▪ the upper/lower reaches of the river
▪ The country's farthest reaches had not been explored. — often + of ▪ the outer reaches of the universe ▪ the further reaches of the valley ▪ the northern reaches of the country — sometimes used figuratively ▪ Scientists are still discovering the far reaches of the human mind.
b : levels of an organization
▪ the upper/higher/lower reaches of the business
c : a straight part of a stream or river
▪ the upper/lower reaches of the river
within (easy) reach of
: close to (something)
▪ Our house is within easy reach of the highway.
▪ Our house is within easy reach of the highway.
