address

1 of 2

verb

ad·​dress ə-ˈdres How to pronounce address (audio)
a-,
 also  ˈa-ˌdres
addressed; addressing; addresses

transitive verb

1
a
: to mark directions for delivery on
address a letter
b
: to consign to the care of another (such as an agent or factor)
2
a
: to direct the efforts or attention of (oneself)
will address himself to the problem
b
: to deal with : treat
… intrigued by the chance to address important issues …I. L. Horowitz
3
a
: to communicate directly
addresses his thanks to his host
b
: to speak or write directly to
especially : to deliver a formal speech to
The president will address the nation by television.
4
: to greet by a prescribed form
how to address an archbishop
5
golf : to adjust the club and one's stance preparatory to hitting (the ball)
6
: to identify (something, such as a computer peripheral or memory location) by an address or a name for information transfer
7
archaic
a
: direct, aim
b
: to direct to go : send
8
archaic : to make ready
especially : dress

intransitive verb

obsolete : to direct one's speech or attentions
addresser noun

address

2 of 2

noun

ad·​dress ə-ˈdres How to pronounce address (audio)
 for senses 1, 2, & 3 also  ˈa-ˌdres
1
a
: a place where a person or organization may be communicated with
asked for her name, address, and phone number
b
: directions for delivery on the outside of an object (such as a letter or package)
an envelope with an illegible address
c
: the designation of place of delivery placed between the heading and salutation on a business letter
d
: the designation of an account from which one can send or receive email
an email address
2
a
: a location (as in the memory of a computer) where particular information is stored
b
: a series of usually alphanumeric characters that specifies the storage location (as on a network or in a computer's memory) of particular information
an Internet address
A unique number called an IP address identifies every computer that's connected to the Internet. An IP address looks something like this: 24.62.89.4. Each of the four parts of an IP address can have from one to three digits.Kim Komando
3
: a formal communication
especially : a prepared speech delivered to a special audience or on a special occasion
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
4
: dutiful and courteous attention especially in courtship
usually used in plural
She spurned his addresses.
"Here is a young man wishing to pay his addresses to you, with everything to recommend him."Jane Austen
5
a
: readiness and capability for dealing (as with a person or problem) skillfully and smoothly : adroitness
b
obsolete : a making ready
also : a state of preparedness
6
a
: manner of bearing oneself
a man of rude address
b
: manner of speaking or singing : delivery
was pleased with the tenor's ease of address
7
golf : the stance of the player and the position of the club preparatory to hitting the ball
Choose the Right Synonym for address

tact, address, poise, savoir faire mean skill and grace in dealing with others.

tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate.

questions showing a lack of tact

address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

brought it off with remarkable address

poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations.

answered the accusations with unruffled poise

savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient.

the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

Examples of address in a Sentence

Verb I've addressed the letter, but it still needs a stamp. The package is sealed; it just needs to be addressed. We spent the afternoon addressing invitations to all our friends. The letter was returned because it had been addressed incorrectly. She ignored most of the people at the table, addressing only the man who was sitting next to her. One of the characters addresses the audience directly throughout the play. Most of the speaker's remarks were addressed to those with experience in the industry. Before the awards were given, the mayor addressed the crowd. Noun Write your name, address, and phone number in the spaces provided. We listened to the President's inaugural address on the radio. She was asked to give a formal address at the ceremony.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Unfortunately, discussing how these issues might be addressed never comes up. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Alongside this kind of advertising, the brand hopes to address common myths, like the fear that repeat use of emergency contraception could lead to infertility, and has donated 1 million boxes of its emergency contraception to community health organizations and other partners. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 In the middle of it all, Nicki also publicly addressed her relationship with Peso Pluma after a video of him appearing to hold hands with another woman in Las Vegas over Super Bowl weekend surfaced on social media. Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024 The ruling party has in 30 years been unable to address these crises and instead pays attention to everything except finding solutions to these issues. Paul Tilsley, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2024 Editors’ Picks On Wednesday, Shou Chew, TikTok’s Singaporean chief executive, posted a video addressing users, saying a ban of the service would hurt small businesses in the United States. Sapna Maheshwari, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Kahlo’s work and her image have also generated endless mountains of merch (also addressed in Acha’s installation). Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Abaza and Rosner addressed some of the criticisms at their fundraising dinners. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Civil War writer-director Alex Garland is addressing two of the biggest questions circling his upcoming A24 action-drama: Why now? James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024
Noun
In her February address to the Board of Regents, Mnookin acknowledged the university has fallen from its once premier status among the nation’s top five research universities to No. 8. Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 In his Sunday evening address, Putin also made an unprecedented break with his tradition of not uttering Alexey Navalny’s name, discussing his death and confirming discussions over a potential prisoner swap involving the late opposition figure. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Police identified the suspects months after the fire by obtaining a search warrant that asked Google to reveal which had searched for the home’s address, reported the AP. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 This is another security feature that scans the dark web and notifies you if any of your personal information (such as your email address or date of birth) is found there. Simon Hill, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024 Philippe learned from a British newspaper story that his father had just made a radio address on the BBC from London calling on the French military and civilians and colonies to carry on the fight. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Email address: The new rule will place stricter limits on how much ethylene oxide commercial sterilizers can release into the outside air, eventually eliminating about 90% of emissions of the gas nationwide, according to the EPA. Alejandra Martinez, ProPublica, 15 Mar. 2024 Those voters signed the filing and included their address. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 15 Mar. 2024 Under the settlement agreement, there are approximately 30 addresses requiring lead service line excavation remaining. Paul Egan, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'address.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English adressen "to guide, direct, set in order, mark with a destination," borrowed from Anglo-French adrescer, adresser "to make straight, direct, guide," from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + drescer, dresser "to direct, put right" — more at dress entry 1

Noun

in part derivative of address entry 1, in part borrowed from Middle French adresce, adresse, noun derivative of adrescer, adresser

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Noun

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of address was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near address

Cite this Entry

“Address.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/address. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

address

1 of 2 verb
ad·​dress ə-ˈdres How to pronounce address (audio)
a-
1
a
: to direct the attention of oneself
addressed themselves to the problem
b
: to deal with
prepares to address the problem
2
a
: to communicate directly
address a petition to the governor
b
: to deliver a formal speech to
address the convention
3
: to mark directions for delivery on
address a letter
4
: to greet by a prescribed form
5
: to identify (as a computer peripheral or a piece of information) by an address or name for information transfer
addresser noun

address

2 of 2 noun
ad·​dress ə-ˈdres How to pronounce address (audio)
ˈad-ˌres
1
: manner of speaking : delivery
2
: a rehearsed speech
3
a
: a place where a person or organization can usually be reached
b
: the directions for delivery on mail
4
a
: a location (as in the memory of a computer) where particular information is stored
b
: a series of symbols (as numerals or letters) that identifies the location of information in a computer's memory or on the Internet or that specifies the source or destination of an e-mail message

More from Merriam-Webster on address

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!