REACH

(STRETCH) [verb] - to stretch out your arm, esp. in order to get or touch (something)She's grown so tall that she can reach the door handle now. [T]Could you get that book down from the shelf for me, please - I can't reach. [I]He reached for the phone and knocked over a glass. [I]The cowboy reached for his gun and said "Reach for the skies (= put your hands up)." [I]She reached over/across and took his hand in hers. [I]The child reached down/out and picked up the kitten. [I]He reached his hand out for the money. [M](figurative) The organizers of the appeal are reaching out to the public for (= trying to communicate with them in order to get) their help.Helen reached up and took a glass from the cupboard. [I](UK) Can you reach me (down) (= stretch out your arm and get) that book/reach that book (down) for me? [+ two objects]If an object reaches (to) something, the top or bottom of it touches that thing.The ladder won't quite reach the top of the wall. [T]The snow reached almost to the children's knees. [I]She was wearing a dress that reached to her ankles. [I]To reach someone who is in a different place is also to communicate with them, esp. by telephone or post.The only way to reach them in the place where they're staying is by mail. I've been trying to reach you (= talk to you on the telephone) all day.To reach someone is also to understand and communicate with them.He's a strange child and his teachers find it difficult to reach him.If you reach for the stars, you want or try to get something that is difficult or impossible to get.