English Reference
noun · verb

outreach

n. · v.
US /ˈaʊˌtɹitʃ/ out·reach UK spelling outreached, outreaches

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the work of an organisation to provide help or information to people in the community.

    n.the practice of an organisation providing services or support to individuals who might otherwise lack access to them.

    Simple

    The local library started an outreach programme to bring books to elderly people at home.

    In context

    The university's community outreach initiative aims to encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for STEM degrees.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    n.the act of reaching out to the public to share information or gain support.

    n.the systematic effort to increase public awareness or engagement regarding a specific cause or organisation.

    Simple

    The charity is doing a lot of outreach on social media to find new volunteers.

    In context

    Effective political outreach requires a nuanced understanding of the diverse concerns held by different segments of the electorate.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    v.to offer help or services to people who need them.

    v.to engage in the act of providing charitable, medical, or religious services to a target population.

    Simple

    The clinic plans to outreach to rural areas where there are no doctors.

    In context

    Non-profit organisations often outreach to marginalised communities to ensure that essential health information is distributed equitably.

    Usage

    Often used as an intransitive verb followed by the preposition 'to'.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Literary

    v.to reach further than something else or to go beyond a limit.

    v.to surpass in reach or extent; to exceed a physical or metaphorical boundary.

    Simple

    The company's expenses began to outreach its actual income.

    In context

    The poet's ambition seemed to outreach his technical skill, resulting in works that were grand but structurally flawed.

    surpassexceedoutstrip
    underperform

The project also has public outreach such as an annual vote for “fat marmot week”, which starts next week .

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

From out- + reach.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated