accessibility

American  

[ak-ses-uh-bil-uh-tee] / ækˌsɛs əˈbɪl ə ti /

noun

1. the quality of being easy to approach, reach, enter, speak with, use, or understand.

   Transportation in boats, land vehicles, and eventually aircraft dramatically increased the accessibility of most locations on the planet.

   What is most immediately noticeable about the music is its accessibility.

2. the quality of being usable, reachable, obtainable, etc..

   The closeness and accessibility of the moon allow us to operate there in a way that is not possible with other space destinations.

   The Open Access policy establishes the company’s expectations relating to the public accessibility of data from research done by staff members or outside contractors.

3. the quality of being suitable or adapted for use by people with disabilities.

   Undoubtedly, tourism and travel revenues will come to depend more and more on adequate accessibility as the number of senior and disabled visitors grows in the coming decades.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unaccessibility
  noun

Etymology

Origin of accessibility

accessibl(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Explanation

Accessibility is approachability. One of the things you may want to consider in a job is the accessibility of the managers. If you have a concern, are they available to help, or are they always in meetings or "at lunch"? Accessibility also refers to the quality of being available when needed. You like the accessibility of the company's customer service because you don't have to wait endlessly on hold in hopes of reaching a human being. Accessibility also refers to how easily a disabled person can negotiate part of a building or structure. The stadium had wheelchair accessibility with ramps and a special seating area.

Example Sentences

“So this tension exists between accessibility and speed.”

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

Secretary of State Shirley Weber and other officials have said California’s voting system prioritizes voter accessibility and security over speedy results.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

"With people staying home more for holidays, more accessibility to paddleboards and recreational swimming we are trying to raise awareness for all families of what to do and how to stay safe in the water."

From BBC • May 31, 2026

“The cost can be much lower—therefore accessibility to these drugs will be greater,” said Legend Chief Executive Ying Huang in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

It was also clear that the topic of distracted driving went well beyond the accessibility of technology in cars.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• convenience