access

ac|cess¹ W1S3 [ˈækses] n [U]

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: acces 'arrival', from Latin accessus 'approach', from accedere; ACCEDE]

1.) the right to enter a place, use something, see someone etc

access to

▪ Access to the papers is restricted to senior management.

▪ Cats should always have access to fresh, clean water.

2.) how easy or difficult it is for people to enter a public building, to reach a place, or talk to someone

access for

▪ We're trying to improve access for disabled visitors.

access to

▪ a villa with easy access to the sea

3.) the way you use to enter a building or reach a place

▪ Access is by means of a small door on the right.

access to

▪ Access to the restrooms is through the foyer.

4.) have access to a car/a computer etc

to have a car, computer etc that you can use

5.) BrE the legal right to see and spend time with your children, a prisoner, an official etc

▪ My ex-husband has access to the children once a week.

6.) gain/get access (to sth)

to succeed in entering a place or in seeing someone or something

▪ The police managed to gain access through an upstairs window.

access ²

access² v [T]

to find information, especially on a computer

▪ Users can access their voice mail remotely.