address Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored
    reference; computer address.
  2. noun the place where a person or organization can be found or communicated with
  3. noun the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
    speech.
    • he listened to an address on minor Roman poets
  4. noun the manner of speaking to another individual
    • he failed in his manner of address to the captain
  5. noun a sign in front of a house or business carrying the conventional form by which its location is described
  6. noun written directions for finding some location; written on letters or packages that are to be delivered to that location
    name and address; destination.
  7. noun the stance assumed by a golfer in preparation for hitting a golf ball
  8. noun social skill
    savoir-faire.
  9. verb speak to
    turn to.
    • He addressed the crowd outside the window
  10. verb give a speech to
    speak.
    • The chairman addressed the board of trustees
  11. verb put an address on (an envelope)
    direct.
  12. verb direct a question at someone
  13. verb address or apply oneself to something, direct one's efforts towards something, such as a question
  14. verb greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name
    call.
    • He always addresses me with `Sir'
    • Call me Mister
    • She calls him by first name
  15. verb access or locate by address
  16. verb act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
    plow; handle; deal; cover; treat.
    • This book deals with incest
    • The course covered all of Western Civilization
    • The new book treats the history of China
  17. verb speak to someone
    accost; come up to.
  18. verb adjust and aim (a golf ball) at in preparation of hitting

WordNet

Ad*dress" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. adressen to raise erect, adorn, OF. adrecier, to straighten, address, F. adresser, fr. à (L. ad) + OF. drecier, F. dresser, to straighten, arrange. See Dress, v.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Addressed present participle & verbal noun Addressing
Definitions
  1. To aim; to direct. Obs. Chaucer.
    And this good knight his way with me addrest. Spenser.
  2. To prepare or make ready. Obs.
    His foe was soon addressed. Spenser.
    Turnus addressed his men to single fight. Dryden.
    The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the noise of the bridegroom's coming. Jer. Taylor.
  3. Reflexively: To prepare one's self; to apply one's skill or energies (to some object); to betake.
    These men addressed themselves to the task. Macaulay.
  4. To clothe or array; to dress. Archaic
    Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel. Jewel.
  5. To direct, as words (to any one or any thing); to make, as a speech, petition, etc. (to any one, an audience).
    The young hero had addressed his players to him for his assistance. Dryden.
  6. To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to; to accost.
    Are not your orders to address the senate? Addison.
    The representatives of the nation addressed the king. Swift.
  7. To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit; as, he addressed a letter.
  8. To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
  9. (Com.) To consign or intrust to the care of another, as agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.
Ad*dress" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To prepare one's self. Obs. "Let us address to tend on Hector's heels." Shak.
  2. To direct speech. Obs.
    Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest. Dryden.
    ✍ The intransitive uses come from the dropping out of the reflexive pronoun.
Ad*dress noun
Etymology
Cf. F. adresse. See Address, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Act of preparing one's self. Obs. Jer Taylor.
  2. Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal application.
  3. A formal communication, either written or spoken; a discourse; a speech; a formal application to any one; a petition; a formal statement on some subject or special occasion; as, an address of thanks, an address to the voters.
  4. Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name, title, and place of residence of the person addressed.
  5. Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of pleasing or insinuating address.
  6. Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady. Addison.
  7. Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness. Syn. -- Speech; discourse; harangue; oration; petition; lecture; readiness; ingenuity; tact; adroitness.

Webster 1913