Dictionary
ap•proach
Pronunciation: (u-prōch'), [key]—
v.t.
1. to come near or nearer to:
The cars slowed down as they approached the intersection.
2. to come near to in quality, character, time, or condition; to come within range for comparison:
As a poet he hardly approaches Keats.
3. to present, offer, or make a proposal or request to:
to approach the president with a suggestion.
4. to begin work on; set about:
to approach a problem.
5. to make advances to; address.
6. to bring near to something.
—
v.i.
1. to come nearer; draw near:
A storm is approaching.
2. to come near in character, time, amount, etc.; approximate.
—
n.
1. the act of drawing near:
the approach of a train.
2. nearness or close approximation:
a fair approach to accuracy.
3. any means of access, as a road or ramp:
the approaches to a city.
4. the method used or steps taken in setting about a task, problem, etc.:
His approach to any problem was to prepare an outline.
5. the course to be followed by an aircraft in approaching for a landing or in joining a traffic pattern:
The plane's approach to the airport was hazardous.
6. Sometimes,
approaches. a presentation, offer, or proposal.
7. approaches, Mil.works for protecting forces in an advance against a fortified position.
8. Also called
approach shot. Golf.a stroke made after teeing off, by which a player attempts to get the ball onto the putting green.
9. Bowling.
a. the steps taken and the manner employed in delivering the ball:
He favors a four-step approach.
b. the area behind the foul line, from which the ball is delivered.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
