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near or approaching a certain state, condition, goal, or standard.
nearly exact; not perfectly accurate or correct:
The approximate time was 10 o’clock.
near; close together.
very similar; nearly identical.
to come near to; approach closely to:
to approximate an ideal.
to estimate:
We approximated the distance at three miles.
to simulate; imitate closely:
The motions of the stars can be approximated in a planetarium.
to bring near.
to come near in position, character, amount, etc.
Contemporary Examples

So far, three test flights of the SS2 have only managed altitude of around 71,000ft – approximately 13 miles.
Branson: We’ll Blast Off In Fall, And Build Hotels In Space Tom Sykes March 10, 2014

There are approximately 1.1 million charities in this country—not local chapters, but unique, full-fledged organizations.
How Charities Fail Your Money—And How to Fix Them Ken Stern February 25, 2013

approximately half of all Americans say they have sex at least once a week.
Who’s Having the Most Sex? Anneli Rufus July 19, 2010

As of February 1, approximately 3.3 million Americans have enrolled in Obamacare.
Will Young People Buy Health Care From Obama and Zach Galifianakis? Dean Obeidallah March 10, 2014

In the 2008 South Carolina Republican primary, whites were approximately 96 percent of the Republican primary vote.
The GOP’s Racial Handicap Lloyd Green October 27, 2013

Historical Examples

Of this number there are approximately 38,000 children of school age.
Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Grover Cleveland

He had approximately as many men at his disposal as his colleague—about 250,000.
The Story of the Great War, Volume II (of VIII) Various

The exact proportions of the slave trade can be estimated only approximately.
The Negro W.E.B. Du Bois

Their position then—according to Pitt’s log—was approximately 75 deg.
Captain Blood Rafael Sabatini

Now, can you point to me approximately where you were standing?
Warren Commission (7 of 26): Hearings Vol. VII (of 15) The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

adverb
close to; around; roughly or in the region of
adjective (əˈprɒksɪmɪt)
almost accurate or exact
inexact; rough; loose: only an approximate fit
much alike; almost the same
near; close together
verb (əˈprɒksɪˌmeɪt)
(usually foll by to) to come or bring near or close; be almost the same (as)
(maths) to find an expression for (some quantity) accurate to a specified degree See accurate (sense 4)
adv.

1742, from approximate (adj.) + -ly (2).
adj.

early 15c., from Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare “to come near to,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + proximare “come near,” from proximus “nearest,” superlative of prope “near” (see propinquity).
v.

early 15c., “to bring or put close,” from approximate (adj.). Meaning “to come close” is from 1789. Related: Approximated; approximating.

approximate ap·prox·i·mate (ə-prŏk’sə-māt’)
v. ap·prox·i·mat·ed, ap·prox·i·mat·ing, ap·prox·i·mates
To bring together, as cut edges of tissue. adj. (-mĭt)

Relating to the contact surfaces, either proximal or distal, of two adjacent teeth; proximate.

Close together. Used of the teeth in the human jaw.