Reach

The point of sail where the wind is coming from the side of the boat, roughly perpendicular to the direction the boat is travelling. 

A reach refers to a specific point of sail where the wind is coming from the side of the boat, typically at an angle between 90° and 135° relative to the vessel’s heading. This is in contrast to sailing upwind (close-hauled) or downwind (running). There are three main types of reaches: close reach, beam reach, and broad reach. A close reach occurs when the wind is slightly forward of the beam, but not as close as when sailing close-hauled. A beam reach is when the wind is coming directly from the side of the boat, or 90° to the direction of travel, which is often considered the fastest and most stable point of sail. A broad reach occurs when the wind is coming from behind the beam, but not directly from behind the boat, which would be considered running. 

Reaching is generally a comfortable and efficient point of sail, as the sails are not as tightly trimmed as they would be when sailing close-hauled, and the boat is not subjected to the rolling motion often experienced when running downwind. The sails are typically eased out to catch the wind effectively, and the boat can achieve good speed with relatively little heeling (leaning). Reaching is often favoured for long passages, as it allows for a balance between speed and comfort.