Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

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

access

1 noun
     
Related topics: Law
ac‧cess1 S3 W1 [uncountable]
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.
4TD

have access to a car/a computer etc

to have a car, computer etc that you can use
5SCL British English 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 something)

to succeed in entering a place or in seeing someone or something:
The police managed to gain access through an upstairs window.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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