access

1 noun (U)

1 the way by which you can enter a building or reach a place: Access is by means of a small door on the right.

(+ to): Access to the restrooms is through the foyer.

2 how easy or difficult it is for people to enter a public building or to reach a place

(+ for): We're trying to improve access for disabled visitors. | have easy/good access to (=be able to reach another place easily): The house is in a central location with good access to the shops.

3 the right to enter a place: have access to: The public don't have access to the site.

4 have access to to have the right to see official documents, especially secret documents: Access to the papers is restricted to Defense Department personnel only.

5 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 have access to a phone/a computer etc to have a telephone, computer etc near you which you can use

7 gain/get access (to) to succeed in entering a place or in seeing someone or something: The police managed to gain access through an upstairs window.

2 verb (T) to find information, especially on a computer