the ability, right, or permission to approach, enter, speak with, or use; admittance: They have access to the files.
the state or quality of being approachable: The house was difficult of access.
a way or means of approach: The only access to the house was a rough dirt road.
Theology. approach to God through Jesus Christ.
an attack or onset, as of a disease.
a sudden and strong emotional outburst.
accession.
public-access television.
verb (used with object)
to make contact with or gain access to; be able to reach, approach, enter, etc.: Bank customers can access their checking accounts instantly through the new electronic system.
Computers. to locate (data) for transfer from one part of a computer system to another, generally between an external storage device and main storage.
adjective
Television. (of programming, time, etc.) available to the public: Six channels now offer access services.
Origin of access
1275–1325; Middle English accesse (<Old French acces) <Latin accessus an approach, equivalent to acced-, variant stem of accēdere to accede + -tus suffix of v. action
In May, I asked the state’s public access counselor to review whether the City Council briefings violated the law.
When Is a Meeting Not a Meeting and a Lawmaker Not a Lawmaker? When It’s Lori Lightfoot’s Chicago.|by Mick Dumke|September 24, 2020|ProPublica
Unfortunately – and leaving the internet aside – federal programs to help access food, housing, and insurance vary widely from one state to another.
Pregnancy During A Pandemic: The Stress Of COVID-19 On Pregnant Women And New Mothers Is Showing|LGBTQ-Editor|September 23, 2020|No Straight News
For diversity initiatives in the outdoor industry to be effective, we need sustainable solutions that will provide more access and gain the trust and support of minority communities.
How Outdoor Companies Can Back Up Their DEI Pledges|Kai Lightner|September 23, 2020|Outside Online
He said his organization continues to provide them with emotional support, apart from access to a housing program and health clinics.
Puerto Ricans with HIV/AIDS vulnerable 3 years after Hurricane Maria|Yariel Valdés González|September 21, 2020|Washington Blade
Ten weeks later, though her complaints had been dismissed, she returned because the company said workers now had access to medical-grade masks.
Foreign Masks, Fear and a Fake Certification: Staff at CSL Plasma Say Conditions at Donation Centers Aren’t Safe|by J. David McSwane|September 21, 2020|ProPublica
Have you tried to access the research that your tax dollars finance, almost all of which is kept behind a paywall?
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Can they determine that individual citizens should not have access to rights provided by the Constitution?
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The official spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to harm future access to those embattled communities.
ISIS Fight Has a Spy Shortage, Intel Chair Says|Kimberly Dozier|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The added charge for access to hotel Wi-Fi is not only exploitative but increasingly irrelevant.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That in itself was a huge innovation, but de Silva says access to markets is still a problem for everyone.
Silicon Valley Sets Its Sights on Africa|Christian Borys|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Suddenly Michael felt an access of shyness, as if he had been surprised when he thought himself private.
Michael|E. F. Benson
It is uninhabited, save by an elderly man and woman who act as caretakers; but even these have no access to the room.
The Ghost World|T. F. Thiselton (Thomas Firminger Thiselton) Dyer
The Library, the first one to which he had had access, wasn't so bad.
Rough-Hewn|Dorothy Canfield
Differences had again arisen with the King of France.176 Henry was seized with an access of devotion.
Life of Thomas Becket|Henry Hart Milman
For forty days Flamininus lingered, hoping to find some path which would give him access to the enemy's quarters.
Cato Maior de Senectute|Marcus Tullius Cicero
British Dictionary definitions for access
access
/ (ˈæksɛs) /
noun
the act of approaching or entering
the condition of allowing entry, esp (of a building or room) allowing entry by wheelchairs, prams, etc
the right or privilege to approach, reach, enter, or make use of something
a way or means of approach or entry
the opportunity or right to see or approach someoneshe fights for divorce and free access to her children
(modifier)designating programmes made by the general public as distinguished from those made by professional broadcastersaccess television
a sudden outburst or attack, as of rage or disease
verb
to gain access to; make accessible or available
(tr)computing
to obtain or retrieve (information) from a storage device
to place (information) in a storage deviceSee also direct access, sequential access
Word Origin for access
C14: from Old French or from Latin accessus an approach, from accēdere to accede