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v. ap·proached, ap·proach·ing, ap·proach·es v.intr. 1. To come near or nearer, as in space or time: Spring approaches. 2. Sports To make an approach, as in golf. v.tr. 1. To come or go near or nearer to: approached the tunnel. 2. To come close to, as in appearance, quality, or condition; approximate: The performance approaches perfection. 3. To make a proposal or overtures to with a specific end in view: approached the administration for a raise. 4. To begin to deal with or work on: approached the task with dread; approached the issue from a historical perspective. n. 1. The act of approaching: the approach of night. 2. A fairly close resemblance; an approximation. 3. A way or means of reaching something; an access: an approach to the bridge. 4. The method used in dealing with or accomplishing: a logical approach to the problem. 5. An advance or overture made by one person to another. 6. Sports a. The golf stroke following the drive from the tee with which a player tries to get the ball onto the putting green. b. The steps taken prior to executing a competitive maneuver, as by a diver before diving forward from a springboard or by a bowler before delivering the ball. c. The part of the area behind the foul line in a bowling alley used by a bowler in delivering the ball. [Middle English approchen, from Old French aprochier, from Late Latin appropiāre : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin propius, nearer, comparative of prope, near; see per1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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