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access

Syllabification: (ac·cess)
Pronunciation: /ˈakˌses/
Translate access | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of access

noun

  • 1a means of approaching or entering a place:the staircase gives access to the top floor wheelchair access the bypass will greatly improve road access the building has a side access
  • the right or opportunity to use or benefit from something:do you have access to a computer? awards to help people gain access to training
  • the right or opportunity to approach or see someone:we were denied access to our grandson
  • the action or process of obtaining or retrieving information stored in a computer’s memory:this prevents unauthorized access or inadvertent deletion of the file
  • [as modifier] denoting noncommercial broadcasting produced by local independent groups, rather than by professionals:public-access television
  • 2 [in singular] an attack or outburst of an emotion:I was suddenly overcome with an access of rage

verb

[with object]
  • 1approach or enter (a place):single rooms have private baths accessed via the balcony
  • 2 Computing obtain, examine, or retrieve (data or a file).

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'sudden attack of illness'): from Latin accessus, from the verb accedere 'to approach'(see accede). Sense 1 is first recorded in the early 17th century

The verb access is standard and common in computing and related terminology (employees can access the office network). But its use outside computing contexts, although well established in the language, is sometimes criticized as being ‘jargon’ (we lacked adequate supply to access the markets we needed to reach). Other words or phrases such as ‘enter’ or ‘gain access to’ are suggested as ready substitutes. For another example of a controversial formation of a verb from a noun, see impact (usage).

Spelling help

Remember that access is spelled with a double c and a double s.

access in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of access in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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