access (accesses 3rd person present) (accessing present participle) (accessed past tense & past participle )
1 n-uncount If you have accessto a building or other place, you are able or allowed to go into it.
usu N to n
The facilities have been adapted to give access to wheelchair users..., Scientists have only recently been able to gain access to the area..., The Mortimer Hotel offers easy access to central London.
2 n-uncount If you have accessto something such as information or equipment, you have the opportunity or right to see it or use it.
usu N to n
...a Code of Practice that would give patients right of access to their medical records.
3 n-uncount If you have accessto a person, you have the opportunity or right to see them or meet them.
usu N to n
He was not allowed access to a lawyer.
4 verb If you access something, especially information held on a computer, you succeed in finding or obtaining it. You've illegally accessed and misused confidential security files. V n
access course (access courses plural )An access course is an educational course which prepares adults with few or no qualifications for study at a university or other place of higher education.
(BRIT) n-count
access road (access roads plural )An access road is a road which enables traffic to reach a particular place or area. n-count
...the access road to the airport.
access time (access times plural )Access time is the time that is needed to get information that is stored in a computer. (COMPUTING) n-count
This system helps speed up access times.
remote access
Remote access is a system which allows you to gain access to a particular computer or network using a separate computer. (COMPUTING) n-uncount
The diploma course would offer remote access to course materials via the Internet's world wide web.
self-access
In a school or college, a self-access centre is a place where students can choose and use books, tapes, or other materials.
(BRIT) adj
...a self-access study centre.
