# access

/ˈækˌsɛs/ (US) · /ˈæksɛs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/access
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. entry or admission

noun · CEFR B1

the right or ability to enter a place or see someone.

For teachers: the right, opportunity, or means of approaching or entering a place or person.

- Only staff members have access to the laboratory after 6:00 PM.
- The new security protocol ensures that only authorised personnel are granted access to the restricted archives.

Usage: usually followed by the preposition 'to'

### 2. using information or services

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

the ability to use a service or look at information.

For teachers: the right or opportunity to use a resource or view specific information.

- Many people in the village still do not have access to clean water.
- The government is working to improve public access to high-quality healthcare in rural regions.

Usage: uncountable in this sense

### 3. computing

noun · CEFR B1

a connection to the internet or a way to open computer files.

For teachers: the process of connecting to a computer system, the internet, or specific digital data.

- I lost my internet access when the storm knocked down the power lines.
- The database administrator restricted access to the sensitive customer files to prevent a potential data breach.

### 4. family law

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the legal right of a parent to visit their child.

For teachers: the legal right of a non-custodial parent to spend time with their child.

- The father was granted weekend access to his children after the court hearing.
- The court's primary concern when determining access rights is the long-term welfare and stability of the child.

Usage: often used in the phrase 'custody and access'

Teaching tip: This is a technical legal term; in everyday conversation, people usually say 'visitation' or 'seeing the kids'.

### 5. to reach or open

verb · CEFR B2

to open a computer file or reach a place.

For teachers: to gain entry to a location or to retrieve data from a computer system.

- You can access your bank account online using this mobile app.
- The rescue team struggled to access the remote valley due to the heavy snowfall and blocked roads.

Usage: transitive verb; do not use 'to' after the verb

Teaching tip: Remind students that 'have access to' (noun) needs 'to', but 'access' (verb) does not.

## Examples

- You need a password to gain access to the files.
- The new ramp provides wheelchair access to the main entrance of the library.
- While the Freedom of Information Act grants public access to certain government records, many documents remain classified to protect national security interests.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.