outreach

[ verb out-reech; noun adjective out-reech ]

verb (used with object)

1. to reach beyond; exceed:

   The demand has outreached our supply.

2. Archaic. to reach out; extend.

verb (used without object)

1. to reach out.

noun

1. an act or instance of reaching out.
2. length or extent of reach.
3. the act of extending services, benefits, etc., to a wider section of the population, as in community work.

adjective

1. concerned with extending community services, benefits, etc.:

   an educational outreach program.

outreach

verb

1. tr to surpass in reach
2. tr to go beyond
3. to reach or cause to reach out

noun

1. the act or process of reaching out
2. the length or extent of reach
3. social welfare any systematic effort to provide unsolicited and predefined help to groups or individuals deemed to need it
4. modifier (of welfare work or workers) propagating take-up of a service by seeking out appropriate people and persuading them to accept what is judged good for them Compare detached

Word History and Origins

Origin of outreach¹

First recorded in 1560–70; out- + reach

Example Sentences

On occasion, medical outreach teams hand out glass pipes and test kits that can detect fentanyl or veterinary tranquilizers in drugs before they’re consumed in an effort they say to saves lives.

From Los Angeles Times

Steel and Tran both focused heavily on outreach to Asian American voters, who make up a plurality of the district that runs through 17 cities including Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, Buena Park and Cerritos.

From Los Angeles Times

As such, public outreach and education has become a core tenant of the new nuclear advocacy movement.

From Los Angeles Times

While the programs are intended for the entire Palm Springs community, the city said it would target outreach to Section 14 families.

From Los Angeles Times

So far, Hoover’s outreach has not extended to NOlympics LA, an opposition group that describes LA28 as a “black box” operating outside public view.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eclipse
• outpace
• outstrip
• top