Definition of access | Collins English Dictionary

access (ˈæksɛs)

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 someone ⇒ she fights for divorce and free access to her children
(modifier) designating programmes made by the general public as distinguished from those made by professional broadcasters ⇒ access television
a sudden outburst or attack, as of rage or disease

to gain access to; make accessible or available
(tr) computing
1. to obtain or retrieve (information) from a storage device
2. to place (information) in a storage device See also direct access , sequential access

C14: from Old French or from Latin accessus an approach, from accēdere to accede

View thesaurus entry

British English: access If you have access to a building or other place, you are able to go into it....unlimited access to the swimming pool.ˈæksɛs NOUN ...unlimited access to the swimming pool.
Spanish: acceso nm
French: accès nm
German: Zugang nm Zugänge
Chinese: 通道 n
Arabic: وُصُول n
Portuguese: acesso nm
Russian: доступ nm
Croatian: pristup nm
Czech: přístup nm
Danish: adgang nutr
Dutch: toegang nm
Finnish: pääsy n
Greek: πρόσβαση nf
Italian: accesso nm
Japanese: 接近 n
Korean: 접근 n
Norwegian: tilgang nm
Polish: dostęp nnt
Brazilian Portuguese: acesso nm
European Spanish: acceso nm
Swedish: tillträde nnt
Thai: ทางเข้า n
Turkish: giriş n
Vietnamese: lối vào n

British English: access If you access something, especially information held on a computer, you succeed in finding or obtaining it.You've illegally accessed and misused confidential security files.ˈæksɛs VERB You've illegally accessed and misused confidential security files.
Spanish: acceder v
French: accéder à vi
German: zugreifen auf v
Chinese: 出入 v
Arabic: يَتَوَصَّلُ إِلى v
Portuguese: aceder v
Russian: получить доступ v
Croatian: pristupiti v
Czech: získat v získávat
Danish: skaffe sig adgang til v
Dutch: openen v
Finnish: päästä sisään v
Greek: προσπελαύνω v
Italian: accedere v
Japanese: アクセスする v
Korean: 접속하다 v
Norwegian: ha adgang til v
Polish: uzyskać dostęp v
Brazilian Portuguese: acessar v
European Spanish: acceder v
Swedish: komma åt v
Thai: เข้าไปได้ v
Turkish: girmek v
Vietnamese: tiếp cận v

Even in the small town just off the motorway junction, it was possible to gain access to cyberspace.
Val McDermid, THE LAST TEMPTATION (2002)
These days there is access to much of even the best waters, depending on the area.
Country Life (2004)
I enjoy being a Minister, not because of the trappings, but because I can access information quickly and get things done.
Irish Times (2002)
The flats have either main door access , or lifts servicing all floors.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
Through remarkable effort and perseverance, Shakespeare gained access to his remarkable ability.
Pete Cohen and Sten Cummins with Jennai Cox, HABIT BUSTING: A 10-step plan that will change your life (2002)