access Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the right to enter
    admission; entree; accession; admittance.
  2. noun the right to obtain or make use of or take advantage of something (as services or membership)
  3. noun a way of entering or leaving
    approach.
    • he took a wrong turn on the access to the bridge
  4. noun a code (a series of characters or digits) that must be entered in some way (typed or dialed or spoken) to get the use of something (a telephone line or a computer or a local area network etc.)
    access code.
  5. noun (computer science) the operation of reading or writing stored information
    memory access.
  6. noun the act of approaching or entering
    • he gained access to the building
  7. verb obtain or retrieve from a storage device; as of information on a computer
  8. verb reach or gain access to
    get at.
    • How does one access the attic in this house?
    • I cannot get to the T.V. antenna, even if I climb on the roof

WordNet

Ac*cess" noun
Etymology
F. accès, L. accessus, fr. accedere. See Accede.
Definitions
  1. A coming to, or near approach; admittance; admission; accessibility; as, to gain access to a prince.
    I did repel his letters, and denied His access to me. Shak.
  2. The means, place, or way by which a thing may be approached; passage way; as, the access is by a neck of land. "All access was thronged." Milton.
  3. Admission to sexual intercourse.
    During coverture, access of the husband shall be presumed, unless the contrary be shown. Blackstone.
  4. Increase by something added; addition; as, an access of territory. [In this sense accession is more generally used.]
    I, from the influence of thy looks, receive Access in every virtue. Milton.
  5. An onset, attack, or fit of disease.
    The first access looked like an apoplexy. Burnet.
  6. A paroxysm; a fit of passion; an outburst; as, an access of fury. A Gallicism

Webster 1913