approach

Approach is a term used to describe a way of dealing with a task or problem, a path or route to a place, or a stance toward a subject. It denotes both a plan or method and a manner of moving toward something.

The word originates from Old French aprochier, from Latin appropiare, meaning to bring near.

As a noun, an approach can refer to a physical path—such as the approach to a harbor, city, or runway. It also refers to a method or strategy for addressing a task, such as a research approach or a teaching approach. Additionally, it can describe a point of view or stance toward a topic, as in a linguistic or scientific approach to study.

In aviation and maritime contexts, the approach is a defined sequence of procedures and flight or transit path used to move from cruising or open water to a landing or docking.

As a verb, approach means to come near in space or time, or to begin to deal with something, for example, to approach a problem by considering its components.

In fields such as science, education, business, and information technology, "approach" often functions as a higher-level descriptor of overall method, framework, or philosophy rather than a single technique, and it is commonly contrasted with "method" or "technique" to emphasize scope and perspective.