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the ability, right, or permission to approach, enter, speak with, or use; admittance:
They have access to the files.
the state or quality of being approachable:
The house was difficult of access.
a way or means of approach:
The only access to the house was a rough dirt road.
Theology. approach to God through Jesus Christ.
an attack or onset, as of a disease.
a sudden and strong emotional outburst.
.
.
to make contact with or gain access to; be able to reach, approach, enter, etc.:
Bank customers can access their checking accounts instantly through the new electronic system.
Computers. to locate (data) for transfer from one part of a computer system to another, generally between an external storage device and main storage.
Television. (of programming, time, etc.) available to the public:
Six channels now offer access services.
Contemporary Examples

The foreman repeated the word regarding a second charge, accessing a government data base.
Cannibal Cop Now Faces Life in Prison Michael Daly March 11, 2013

Huthart alleges that these stories derived from accessing her voice messages.
More Trouble for Rupert Murdoch? Peter Jukes June 17, 2013

Today women entrepreneurs face challenges obtaining capital, reaching markets and accessing networks.
Hillary: Global Economy Depends on Women Gayle Tzemach Lemmon September 15, 2011

Today, the ease of accessing data over the Internet is the big rock candy mountain of “oppo” research.
Clinton and Christie: Let The Mud-Slinging Start Eleanor Clift January 21, 2014

Fourth, eliminate the barriers women face in accessing finance and credit.
At Davos Investing in Women Emerges as a Business Strategy Melanne Verveer, Kim Azzarelli January 24, 2013

It demands more attention to the security of data and information, and to the ease of accessing it.
What Market Panic? Halcyon Days for Silicon Valley Zachary Karabell March 6, 2012

RK: I think Iran accessing a nuclear bomb, it is going to cause major war with Iran.
An Iranian Secret Agent’s Message to America Reza Aslan April 3, 2010

As a condition of his probation, Bartiromo was barred from accessing the Internet for any non-school-related purpose.
He Bullies Kids and Calls It News Brandy Zadrozny June 25, 2014

Historical Examples

To access a book is different from accessing a multimedia knowledge platform.
The Civilization of Illiteracy Mihai Nadin

The new methods of accessing information free the legislative politician from the time-consuming task of accumulating data.
The Civilization of Illiteracy Mihai Nadin

noun
the act of approaching or entering
the condition of allowing entry, esp (of a building or room) allowing entry by wheelchairs, prams, etc
the right or privilege to approach, reach, enter, or make use of something
a way or means of approach or entry
the opportunity or right to see or approach someone: she fights for divorce and free access to her children
(modifier) designating programmes made by the general public as distinguished from those made by professional broadcasters: access television
a sudden outburst or attack, as of rage or disease
verb
to gain access to; make accessible or available
(transitive) (computing)

to obtain or retrieve (information) from a storage device
to place (information) in a storage device See also direct access, sequential access

n.

early 14c., “an attack of fever,” from Old French acces “onslaught, attack; onset (of an illness)” (14c.), from Latin accessus “a coming to, an approach,” noun use of past participle of accedere “approach” (see accede). The later senses are directly from Latin. Meaning “an entrance” is from c.1600. Meaning “habit or power of getting into the presence of (someone or something)” is from late 14c.
v.

1962, originally in computing, from access (n.). Related: Accessed; accessing.

access ac·cess (āk’sěs)
n.

A means of approaching, entering, exiting, or making use of; passage.

The space required to view a tooth and manipulate dental instruments to remove decay and prepare the tooth for restoration.

The opening in the crown of a tooth necessary to allow adequate admittance to the pulp space to clean, shape, and seal the root canal.

Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board