# reaching

/ˈɹitʃɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈiːtʃɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. stretching out

verb · CEFR B1

the act of stretching out your arm or body to touch or grab something.

For teachers: the present participle of 'reach', describing the physical extension of a limb or the body toward an object.

- She was reaching for the top shelf when the ladder started to wobble.
- Reaching for the light switch in the unfamiliar corridor, he accidentally knocked a small ceramic vase off the side table.

### 2. an attempt to grasp

noun · CEFR B2

the physical movement you make when you try to catch or hold something.

For teachers: the action of extending a part of the body to touch or grasp an object.

- With one final reaching of his arm, he managed to grab the rope.
- The child's desperate reaching toward the balloon was met with disappointment as the wind carried it over the garden fence.

### 3. sailing across the wind

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

sailing a boat with the wind coming from the side rather than the front or back.

For teachers: the act of sailing on a reach, where the wind is directed at the side of the vessel between close-hauled and running.

- The crew found that reaching was the fastest way to cross the bay in these conditions.
- After rounding the first buoy, the yacht began reaching toward the finish line, gaining significant speed as the wind caught the sails from the beam.

Usage: Often used in the context of competitive racing or navigation descriptions.

## Examples

- We spent the afternoon reaching across the bay in a steady breeze.
- The crew adjusted the sails for reaching as they turned the corner of the island to head east.
- While beating into the wind requires constant tactical adjustments, reaching allows the hull to achieve its maximum theoretical speed with relatively stable sail trim.

---

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.