# reaches

/ˈɹitʃəz/ (US) · /ɹˈiːtʃɪz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. arrives at or stretches to

verb · CEFR A2

to arrive at a place, or to stretch out a hand to touch something.

For teachers: the third-person singular form of 'reach', indicating arrival at a destination or the physical extension of a limb toward an object.

- The climber finally reaches the top of the mountain after hours of hiking.
- The global temperature reaches a new record high every summer, prompting urgent calls for environmental policy reform.

### 2. distant or outer parts

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the furthest or most distant parts of a place or an organization.

For teachers: the remote or extreme sections of a physical area, or the furthest extent of an abstract concept.

- Explorers traveled to the furthest reaches of the icy continent.
- The probe was designed to transmit data from the outer reaches of the solar system, where sunlight is incredibly faint.

### 3. sections of a river

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a straight part of a river between two bends.

For teachers: a continuous or straight stretch of water between two bends in a river or canal.

- The lower reaches of the river are wide and slow-moving.
- Heavy rainfall caused the upper reaches of the valley to flood, destroying several bridges before the water could dissipate downstream.

## Examples

- The explorers traveled to the upper reaches of the river.
- Scientists are still discovering new species in the deepest reaches of the ocean where sunlight never penetrates.
- The investigation eventually extended into the highest reaches of the government, uncovering a network of influence that had remained hidden for decades.

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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.