access

ac|cess1 [ `æk,ses ] noun uncount ***

1. ) the right or opportunity to have or use something that will bring you benefits:

access to: Access to up-to-date financial information is important to our success.

Only 40% of 5-year-olds have access to preschool education.

gain access: Some groups still have difficulty gaining access to social services.

a ) the right to look at private information:

access to: Access to employees' records is restricted.

b ) permission to see and talk to an important person:

access to: She's one of a handful of aides with direct access to the president.

c ) the legal right to visit children after a divorce

2. ) the means by which you get to a place:

Access is by means of a door at the back of the stage.

access to: An elevator provides access to the upper floors.

There is easy access to the downtown area by subway.

access

ac|cess 2 [ `æk,ses ] verb transitive

1. ) to get information, especially from a computer:

The database allows you to access the sales figures in a number of ways.

2. ) FORMAL to get to and enter a place:

The road is closed but can be accessed by emergency vehicles.