access

1 of 2

noun

ac·​cess ˈak-ˌses How to pronounce access (audio)
also
ik-ˈses How to pronounce access (audio)
1
a
: permission, liberty, or ability to enter, approach, or pass to and from a place or to approach or communicate with a person or thing
Investigators wanted to get access to his home.
consultants who have easy access to the president
b
: freedom or ability to obtain or make use of something
paying for access to the Internet
c
: a way or means of entering or approaching
A canal provides access to the river.
a building that provides wheelchair access [=a way for people in wheelchairs to enter]
d
: the act or an instance of accessing something
2
a
: onset sense 2
an access of illness
b
: a fit of intense feeling : outburst
If it had been in Tito's nature to feel an access of rage, he would have felt it against this bull-faced accomplice.George Eliot
3
: an increase by addition
a sudden access of wealth

access

2 of 2

verb

accessed; accessing; accesses

transitive verb

: to get at : to gain access to: such as
a
: to be able to use, enter, or get near (something)
accessed the computer by phone
a system that makes it easier to access the money in your bank account
b
: to open or load (a computer file, an Internet site, etc.)
a file that can be accessed by many users at the same time

Examples of access in a Sentence

Noun We have Internet access at the library. a sudden access of hay fever was making him feel miserable Verb The new system makes it easier to access the money in your bank account. Your favorite radio stations can be accessed at the touch of a button. The file loads every time you access the website. The file can be accessed by many users at the same time. She could work at home by remotely accessing the company's network. You'll need a password to access the database.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 In the recent trial, the prosecution characterized Whitehead as a habitual liar, emphasizing his deceit regarding access, influence, and relationships. Melissa Noel, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024 Some start-ups are moving their headquarters to the area to have better access to Nvidia’s executives and sales representatives. Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Waymo has earned some early supporters by promising to widen access for people with disabilities — including those with epilepsy who are unable to drive and may face insecurities about using traditional public transportation or ride-sharing. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 If James knew that his son had gained access to his firearms, the prosecution would have told you that. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 In addition, the administration has worked to expand access to reproductive health services, including family planning and providers, emergency contraception and long-acting reversible contraception such as intrauterine devices. Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 The campground has on-site hiking trails, a swimming pool, and pet-friendly sites, along with full hookups and access to laundry and hot showers. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2024 Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2024
Verb
To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2024 Public officials, such as Mayor Scott, are barred by a provision in federal law known as the Tiahrt Amendment from accessing the ATF firearms trace database, the only source for information about the manufacturer, distributor, point of sale and recovery of guns linked to violent crime nationwide. Emma Tucker, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 To access the virtual meeting, go to Michigan.gov/DEHBio to register for the Zoom webinar in the North Kent County Exposure Assessment section. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2024 How the Snapchat accounts were accessed Between June 2021 and December 2022, Valdez got into dozens of women’s Snapchat accounts through a phishing scheme, according to the sentencing memo. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 Students can also access 24/7 counseling through UTDTALK 972-883-8255 and TimelyCare. Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Mar. 2024 However, bidding has begun online and can be accessed through Sotheby’s website. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Visitors could not access the store, which was closed for a period of time, without a site admin’s password, leaving fans wondering whether something new was about about to launch for sale. Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 2 Mar. 2024 The only residential unit in the three-story building, the penthouse comprises three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is directly accessed by a private elevator. David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'access.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "entrance, approach, attack of illness, fever, lovesickness," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French acces "attack of illness," (Old French also "liberty to approach"), borrowed from Latin accessus "approach, means of entry, right of approach, onset (of fever or illness)," action noun derived from accēdere "to approach" — more at accede

Verb

derivative of access entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of access was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near access

Cite this Entry

“Access.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/access. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

access

1 of 2 noun
ac·​cess ˈak-ˌses How to pronounce access (audio)
1
: permission or power to enter, approach, or make use of
access to secret information
Internet access
2
: a way or means of approach
a nation's access to the sea

access

2 of 2 verb
: to get at : gain access to

Legal Definition

access

noun
ac·​cess ˈak-ˌses How to pronounce access (audio)
often attributive
1
: permission, liberty, or ability to enter, approach, communicate with, or pass to and from a place, thing, or person
public access to federal land
access to the courts
2
: opportunity for sexual intercourse
3
: a landowner's legal right to pass from his or her land to a highway and to return without being obstructed
4
: freedom or ability to obtain, make use of, or participate in something
the right to equal treatment holds with respect to a limited set of interests — like voting — and demands that every person have the same access to these interestsL. H. Tribe
5
a
: a way by which a thing or place may be approached or reached
b
: passage to and from a place
provide a means of access to the land
6
: opportunity to view or copy a copyrighted work

More from Merriam-Webster on access

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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