access

[ ak-ses ]

/ ˈæk sɛs /

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See synonyms for: access / accessed / accessing on Thesaurus.com

noun

the ability, right, or permission to approach, enter, speak with, or use; admittance: They have access to the files.

a way or means of approach: The only access to the house was a rough dirt road.

the state or quality of being approachable: Located deep in the woods on an island with no dock, the cabin was difficult of access.

Theology. approach to God through Jesus Christ.

an attack or onset, as of a disease or symptom: Some influenza patients experience attacks for many weeks after the primary access.In a violent access of coughing I fractured one of my ribs.

a sudden, strong burst of emotion: In an access of clumsy tenderness, he tried to dry the tears that trembled on her eyelashes.

accession.

public-access television.

verb (used with object)

to make contact with or gain access to; be able to reach, approach, enter, etc.: Bank customers can access their checking accounts instantly through the online portal.

Computers. (of a program or system component) to retrieve (data) for use by another program or application or for transfer from one part of the system to another: This key enables other applications to access data from within the event management system even if you aren't logged in.

adjective

Television. (of programming, time, etc.) available to the public: Six channels now offer access services.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of access

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English accesse, from Old French acces or directly from Latin accessus “an approach,” equivalent to acced-, variant stem of accēdere “to accede” + -tus suffix of verb action

OTHER WORDS FROM access

pre·ac·cess, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH access

access , assess, excess

Words nearby access

accepter, accepting, accepting house, acceptive, acceptor, access, accessary, access broker, access charge, access code, access course

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use access in a sentence

In May, I asked the state’s public access counselor to review whether the City Council briefings violated the law.
When Is a Meeting Not a Meeting and a Lawmaker Not a Lawmaker? When It’s Lori Lightfoot’s Chicago.|by Mick Dumke|September 24, 2020|ProPublica
Unfortunately – and leaving the internet aside – federal programs to help access food, housing, and insurance vary widely from one state to another.
Pregnancy During A Pandemic: The Stress Of COVID-19 On Pregnant Women And New Mothers Is Showing|LGBTQ-Editor|September 23, 2020|No Straight News
For diversity initiatives in the outdoor industry to be effective, we need sustainable solutions that will provide more access and gain the trust and support of minority communities.
How Outdoor Companies Can Back Up Their DEI Pledges|Kai Lightner|September 23, 2020|Outside Online
He said his organization continues to provide them with emotional support, apart from access to a housing program and health clinics.
Puerto Ricans with HIV/AIDS vulnerable 3 years after Hurricane Maria|Yariel Valdés González|September 21, 2020|Washington Blade

Ten weeks later, though her complaints had been dismissed, she returned because the company said workers now had access to medical-grade masks.
Foreign Masks, Fear and a Fake Certification: Staff at CSL Plasma Say Conditions at Donation Centers Aren’t Safe|by J. David McSwane|September 21, 2020|ProPublica
Placed in drinking water, fluoride can serve people who otherwise have poor access to dental care.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Have you tried to access the research that your tax dollars finance, almost all of which is kept behind a paywall?
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Can they determine that individual citizens should not have access to rights provided by the Constitution?
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The official spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to harm future access to those embattled communities.
ISIS Fight Has a Spy Shortage, Intel Chair Says|Kimberly Dozier|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The added charge for access to hotel Wi-Fi is not only exploitative but increasingly irrelevant.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By the last-mentioned staircase access is obtained by the general public to the Council Chamber.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
Each entry on the vault record book shall be signed by the persons having access to the safe.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
And a rampant ache in my head, seconded by a medium-sized gash in the scalp, didn't make for an access of optimism at that moment.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
On three sides, the cliffs rise so precipitously from the waves, that all access is impossible.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
The bisection of the victim symbolized Christ slain and affording access to God through himself.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

British Dictionary definitions for access

access

/ (ˈæksɛs) /

noun

the act of approaching or entering

the condition of allowing entry, esp (of a building or room) allowing entry by wheelchairs, prams, etc

the right or privilege to approach, reach, enter, or make use of something

a way or means of approach or entry

the opportunity or right to see or approach someoneshe fights for divorce and free access to her children

(modifier) designating programmes made by the general public as distinguished from those made by professional broadcastersaccess television

a sudden outburst or attack, as of rage or disease

verb

to gain access to; make accessible or available

(tr) computing

to obtain or retrieve (information) from a storage device
to place (information) in a storage deviceSee also direct access, sequential access

Word Origin for access

C14: from Old French or from Latin accessus an approach, from accēdere to accede

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

access

Origin of access

OTHER WORDS FROM access

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH access

Words nearby access

Words related to access

How to use access in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for access

Word Origin for access