to come near or nearer to something or someone in space, time, quality, or amount

We could just see the train approaching in the distance. 我们刚好能看到火车从远处驶来。

If you look out of the window on the left, you'll see that we're now approaching the Eiffel Tower. 如果你从左侧的窗口望出去，就可以看到我们正在驶向埃菲尔铁塔。

I see it's approaching lunchtime, so let's take a break. 午饭时间快到了，我们休息一下吧。

In my opinion, no other composers even begin to approach (= come near in quality to) Mozart. 我认为，任何作曲家和莫扎特相比，都难以望其项背。

The total amount raised so far is approaching (= almost) $1,000. 目前筹集到的金额总数将近1000美元了。

He's very active for a man approaching 80 (= who is almost 80 years old). 对于一个年近80的老人来说，他精力旺盛。

to deal with something

I'm not sure how to approach the problem. 怎样处理这个问题，我没有把握。

to speak to, write to, or visit someone in order to do something such as make a request or business agreement

We've just approached the bank for/about a loan. 我们刚刚联系银行要求贷款。

She's been approached by a modelling agency. 一家模特代理公司曾与她接洽过。

a way of considering or doing something

Since our research so far has not produced any answers to this problem, we need to adopt a different approach to it. 到目前为止，我们还没有研究出任何解决这一问题的方法，所以我们得换一种思路了。

I've just read an interesting book which has a new approach to Shakespeare. 我刚读了一本非常有趣的书，它提供了一种对莎士比亚作品的全新解读方式。

Michael is always very logical in his approach. 迈克尔的处事方法一贯非常合情合理。

the fact of getting nearer in distance or time

The siren signalled the approach of an ambulance. 警笛声表明一辆救护车正在驶来。

Many kinds of birds fly south at the approach of winter. 很多鸟在冬天来临之际飞向南方。

Please fasten your seat belts, the plane is now making its final approach (in)to (= is coming near to and preparing to land at) Heathrow. 请系好安全带，飞机马上就要在希思罗机场降落。

a route that leads to a place

There is a very steep approach to the house. 有一条很险的路通往那座房子。

UK We got stuck in a traffic jam on the approach road. 我们遇上塞车，被堵在引道上了。

the most similar thing to something else that is mentioned

That's the nearest approach to an apology you're going to get from Paula. 你别想从葆拉那儿得到真正的道歉，她那样做就已经是很不错了。

He is the nearest approach to a king in this country.

This was the nearest approach to social order that was possible in the circumstances.

Music fans cannot agree on which recording medium offers the closest approach to the original sound.

This book is the closest approach the author has made to classic nature writing.

an act of communicating with another person or group in order to ask for something

The hospital is making approaches to local businesses (= asking them to help) in their bid to raise money. 为了筹款，医院正在同当地的公司商谈，请求他们解囊相助。

I hear that Everton have made an approach to (= an attempt to make a business arrangement with) Arsenal to buy one of their players. 我听说艾弗顿队跟阿森纳队进行过接洽，意欲出钱转入他们的一名球员。