reach / rēch/ • v. 1. [intr.] stretch out an arm in a specified direction in order to touch or grasp something: he reached over and turned off his bedside light. ∎  (reach for) make a movement with one's hand or arm in an attempt to touch or grasp (something): Carl reached for the phone. ∎  [tr.] (reach something out) stretch out one's hand or arm: he reached out a hand and touched her forehead. ∎  hand (something) to (someone): reach me those glasses. ∎  [intr.] be able to touch something with an outstretched arm or leg: I had to stand on tiptoe and even then I could hardly reach. ∎  (reach out) extend help, understanding, or influence: he felt such an urge to reach out to his fellow sufferer.2. [tr.] arrive at; get as far as: “Goodbye,” she said as they reached the door the show is due to reach our screens early next year. ∎  attain or extend to (a specified point, level, or condition): unemployment reached a peak in 1933| [intr.] in its native habitat it will reach to about 6 m in height. ∎  succeed in achieving: the intergovernmental conference reached agreement on the draft treaty. ∎  make contact or communicate with (someone) by telephone or other means: I've been trying to reach you all morning. ∎  (of a broadcast or other communication) be received by: television reached those parts of the electorate that other news sources could not. ∎  succeed in influencing or having an effect on: their fresh sound and message reach people who may never set foot in a church.3. [intr.] Sailing sail with the wind blowing from the side, or from slightly behind the side, of the ship.• n. 1. an act of reaching out with one's arm: she made a reach for him. ∎  [in sing.] the distance to which someone can stretch out their hand (used esp. of a boxer): a giant, over six feet seven with a reach of over 81 inches. ∎  the extent or range of application, effect, or influence: the diameter and the reach of the spark plug varies from engine to engine.2. (often reaches) a continuous extent of land or water, esp. a stretch of river between two bends, or the part of a canal between locks: the upper reaches of the Nile.3. Sailing a distance traversed in reaching.PHRASES: out of (or beyond) reach outside the distance to which someone can stretch out their hand. ∎  beyond the capacity of someone to attain or achieve something: she thought college was out of her reach.within (or in) reach inside the distance to which someone can stretch out their hand. ∎  inside a distance that can be traveled: Rocky Mountain National Park is within easy reach of the city of Denver. ∎  within the capacity of someone to attain or achieve something.DERIVATIVES: reach·a·ble adj.

reach1 stretch out, extend (in various lit. and fig. uses). OE. ræċan (pt. rǣhte, rāhte) = MLG., (M)Du. reiken, (O)HG. reichen :- WGmc. *raikjan, with which Lith. ráižytis stretch has been connected. The typical ME. forms of pt. and pp. were rau(g)ht(e); the new reched appeared c.1400.
Hence reach sb. continuous stretch, as of a waterway XIII (in place-names); act or extent of reaching XVI.

reach2 †spit, hawk OE.; make efforts to vomit XVI. OE. hræċan = ON. hrækja spit, f. Gmc. *χraik-, repr. also by OF. hrāca, ON. hrāki spittle; of imit. orig.

REACH (riːtʃ) Retired Executives' Action Clearing House