I. ac ‧ cess 1 S2 W1 AC /ˈækses/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ access , ↑ accessibility ≠ ↑ inaccessibility ; verb : ↑ access ; adverb : ↑ accessibly ≠ ↑ inaccessibly ; adjective : ↑ accessible ≠ ↑ inaccessible ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: acces 'arrival' , from Latin accessus 'approach' , from accedere ; ⇨ ↑ accede ]
1 . the right to enter a place, use something, see someone etc
access to
Access to the papers is restricted to senior management.
Cats should always have access to fresh, clean water.
2 . how easy or difficult it is for people to enter a public building, to reach a place, or talk to someone
access for
We’re trying to improve access for disabled visitors.
access to
a villa with easy access to the sea
3 . the way you use to enter a building or reach a place:
Access is by means of a small door on the right.
access to
Access to the restrooms is through the foyer.
4 . have access to a car/a computer etc to have a car, a computer etc that you can use
5 . British English the legal right to see and spend time with your children, a prisoner, an official etc:
My ex-husband has access to the children once a week.
6 . gain/get access (to something) to succeed in entering a place or in seeing someone or something:
The police managed to gain access through an upstairs window.
II. access 2 AC BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ access , ↑ accessibility ≠ ↑ inaccessibility ; verb : ↑ access ; adverb : ↑ accessibly ≠ ↑ inaccessibly ; adjective : ↑ accessible ≠ ↑ inaccessible ]
to find information, especially on a computer:
Users can access their voice mail remotely.