n.
Function: noun
Date: 1536
1 : a continuous stretch or expanse especially : a straight portion of a stream or river
2 a (1) : the action or an act of reaching (2) : an individual part of a progression or journey b (1) : a reachable distance <within reach > (2) : ability to reach <had a long reach > c : an extent or range especially of knowledge or comprehension
3 : a bearing shaft or coupling pole especially : the rod joining the hind axle to the forward bolster of a wagon
4 : the tack sailed by a ship with the wind coming just forward of the beam or with the wind directly abeam or abaft the beam
5 : ECHELON , LEVEL ― usually used in plural <the upper reach es of academia>