distend

verb

dis·​tend di-ˈstend 

distended; distending; distends

transitive verb

1

: extend

the main outlines of the land yet lay clearly distended before them

—Norman Douglas

2

: to enlarge, expand, or stretch out (as from internal pressure) : swell

a distended abdomen

intransitive verb

: to become enlarged, expanded, or stretched out

causing the stomach to distend

Did you know?

The history of the word distend stretches back to the Latin verb tendere—a root whose kin have really expanded the English language. To find evidence of this expansion, look to words that include "tend" or "tent"; many have tendere, which means "to stretch, extend, or spread," in their family tree. Perhaps the simplest example is tent, which names a shelter made from a piece of material stretched over a frame. You'll also find the influence of tendere in extend, tendon, contend, portend, and tendency.

Choose the Right Synonym for distend

expand, amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase in size or volume.

expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

Examples of distend in a Sentence

an abdomen distended by disease

Recent Examples on the Web

The Most Exciting New Advances in Managing COPD With another strategy, diaphragmatic breathing, patients concentrate on distending their abdomen while taking in air. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024

Abdominal bloating is when the stomach feels full of gas and may become distended (sticks out). —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Sep. 2024

His stomach was distended — a sign of severe malnutrition. —Joe Snell, Washington Post, 30 July 2024

The dress had been constructed from a boudoir-ish bodice, which distended into a full-skirted ballgown, giving the impression of deliberate deshabillé, as if the design had been left unfinished on the mannequin. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

Their heads are twizzling, their eyes bulging, their teeth ground to the gums, their bowels distended. —Brian T. Allen, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023

The silhouettes are distended and reveal the skin beneath these big cobwebs of yarn. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2023

At 6-foot-3, pushing 330 pounds, his appearance was misshapen by a stomach distended with fluid. —Max Blau, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2023

An ultrasound revealed that Sugar’s stomach was significantly distended and inflamed and that her pancreas was swollen and inflamed, according to the affidavit. —Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin distendere, from dis- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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Kids Definition

distend

verb

dis·​tend dis-ˈtend 

: to stretch or bulge out in all directions : swell

Medical Definition

distend

transitive verb

dis·​tend dis-ˈtend 

: to enlarge or stretch out (as from internal pressure)

distended veins

intransitive verb

: to become expanded