approached; approaching; approaches
1
a
: to draw closer to : near
approach a destination
b
: to come very near to : to be almost the same as
… its mathematics approaches mysticism.—
Theodore Sturgeon
Theodore Sturgeonas the quantity x approaches zero
2
a
: to make advances to especially in order to create a desired result
was approached by several Broadway producers
b
: to take preliminary steps toward accomplishment or full knowledge or experience of
Try to approach the subject with an open mind.
plural approaches
1
a
: an act or instance of approaching
the approach of summer
b
: approximation
In this book he makes his closest approach to greatness.
2
a
: the taking of preliminary steps toward a particular purpose
experimenting with new lines of approach
b
: a particular manner of taking such steps
a highly individual approach to language
3
: a means of access : avenue
4
a
or approach shot
: a golf shot from the fairway toward the green
b
: the steps taken by a bowler before delivering the ball
also
: the part of the alley behind the foul line from which the bowler delivers the ball
5
: the descent of an aircraft toward a landing place
The plane was on final approach.
6
: the surgical procedure or path by which access is gained to a bodily part
A lateral approach was used to direct a 25-gauge, 10-cm spinal needle onto the articular pillar adjacent to the target joint.—Leslie Barnsley et al.
Leslie Barnsley et al.Synonyms
Examples of approach in a Sentence
Verb
The cat approached the baby cautiously.
Ease off the gas pedal to slow down as the bend in the road approaches.
We are approaching the end of the fiscal year.
This weekend we're expecting temperatures approaching 100 degrees.
The success rates approach 90 percent.
He has a wild laugh that sometimes approaches hysteria.
a reproduction that approaches the quality of the original painting
The supervisor is quite easy to approach, so don't hesitate to bring up any problems you have.
We were advised to never be too aggressive when approaching a potential client.
Noun
trying a more healthy approach
The cat made a cautious approach.
The quiet afternoon was interrupted by the approach of a motorboat.
A loud growl warned us of the bear's approach.
With the approach of summer came longer, hotter days.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Either way, there are still several days before the storm could approach the Gulf Coast.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Read more about ProPublica’s approach to investigative journalism in our ethics code.
—ProPublica, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for approach 
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show current usage.
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Verb
Storm Rafael is expected to approach the U.S. later in the week.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Either way, there are still several days before the storm could approach the Gulf Coast.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
This method is an even more minimalistic approach than a stand, saddle, or hub-style hunting blind.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Read more about ProPublica’s approach to investigative journalism in our ethics code.
—ProPublica, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for approach
Articles Related to approach
Dictionary Entries Near approach
Cite this Entry
“Approach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approach. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
approach
1 of 2 verb
ap·proach
ə-ˈprōch 
1
: to come near or nearer
2
: to begin to deal with
approach a problem
approach
2 of 2 noun1
: an act or instance of approaching
2
: a beginning step toward an end
3
: way of dealing with something
try a new approach
4
: a way (as a path or road) to get to some place
Medical Definition
approach
noun
ap·proach
ə-ˈprōch
: the surgical procedure by which access is gained to a bodily part
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