- come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance接近, 靠近：
the train approached the main line
火车驶近了主线
no obj. she hadn't heard him approach她没听见他走近
as adj. approaching an approaching car.一辆正在驶近的汽车。
- come near or nearer to (a future time or event)接近, 临近（未来时刻, 未来事件）：
he was approaching retirement.
他快退休了。
- no obj.(of a future time) come nearer（未来时刻）临近：
the time is approaching when you will be destroyed.
你的死期快到了。
- come close to (a number, level, or standard) in quality or quantity数量（或质量）上接近（某一数字, 某种水平, 某个标准）：
the population will approach 12 million by the end of the decade.
十年后人口将接近1,200万。
- archaic bring nearer〈古〉使接近：
all those changes shall serve to approach him the faster to the blest mansion.
所有那些变化会使他更快接近那幢福宅。
- speak to (someone) for the first time about something, typically with a proposal or request（多指为提建议或有所请求而首次）找…商谈; 找…商量, 向…接洽：
the department had been approached about funding.
已向部里反映过资金的问题。
- start to deal with (something) in a certain way着手处理：
one must approach the matter with caution.
此事必须谨慎处理。
- a way of dealing with something处理事情的方法：
we need a whole new approach to the job.
关于这工作我们需要一种全新的处理方法。
- an act of speaking to someone for the first time about something, typically a proposal or request（多指关于建议或请求的）首次商谈：
the landowner made an approach to the developer.
土地所有者找开发商初步商谈。
approaches
dated behaviour intended to propose personal or sexual relations with someone〈旧〉（为建立私人关系或与异性发生性关系而向某人的）主动接触, 主动亲近：feminine resistance to his approaches.
女性对他亲近行为的抵制。
- in sing. the action of coming near or nearer to someone or something in distance or time（在距离或时间上的）靠近, 临近：
the approach of winter.
冬天的临近。
approach to
an approximation to something接近, 相似, 近似：the past is impossible to recall with any approach to accuracy.
过去的事情不可能回想得毫发不差。
- the part of an aircraft's flight in which it descends gradually towards an airfield or runway for landing（飞机的）进场（指飞机逐渐降低飞行高度, 接近机场或跑道, 以便着陆）。
- （一般作approaches）a road, sea passage, or other way leading to a place通道, 道路; 航道; 进路：
the northern approaches to London.
去伦敦的北航道。