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Synonyms

outreach

American  
[out-reech, out-reech] / ˌaʊtˈritʃ, ˈaʊtˌritʃ /

verb (used with object)

  1. to reach beyond; exceed.

    The demand has outreached our supply.

  2. Archaic. to reach out; extend.

verb (used without object)

  1. to reach out.

noun

  1. an act or instance of reaching out.

  2. length or extent of reach.

  3. the act of extending services, benefits, etc., to a wider section of the population, as in community work.

adjective

  1. concerned with extending community services, benefits, etc..

    an educational outreach program.
outreach British  

verb

  1. (tr) to surpass in reach

  2. (tr) to go beyond

  3. to reach or cause to reach out

"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

noun

  1. the act or process of reaching out

  2. the length or extent of reach

  3. social welfare any systematic effort to provide unsolicited and predefined help to groups or individuals deemed to need it

  4. (modifier) (of welfare work or workers) propagating take-up of a service by seeking out appropriate people and persuading them to accept what is judged good for them Compare detached

"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

Etymology

Origin of outreach

First recorded in 1560–70; out- + reach

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sharif on Saturday said he had a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian lasting over one hour, detailing Pakistan's "ongoing diplomatic outreach".

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Di Florio said that lots of things like outreach were being done well, but it remained a difficult condition to detect, especially when there is no history of mental illness.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

The company says it’s also supporting athletes with a new Athlete Center of Excellence run by financial professionals who understand the athlete experience, as well as financial education outreach at universities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

The results provide evidence that could help guide targeted policies and programs in clinics, hospitals, and community outreach efforts.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

“It’ll take some signs, community outreach, organizing, and planning. But I think we could do it. And maybe my mom could help.”

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.