stretch

1 of 3

verb

ˈstrech 

stretched; stretching; stretches

transitive verb

1

: to extend (one's limbs, one's body, etc.) in a reclining position

2

: to reach out : extend

stretched out her arms

3

: to extend in length

stretched his neck to see what was going on

4

: to fell with or as if with a blow

5

: to cause the limbs of (a person) to be pulled especially in torture

6

: to draw up (one's body) from a cramped, stooping, or relaxed position

7

: to pull taut

canvas stretched on a frame

8

a

: to enlarge or distend especially by force

b

: to extend or expand as if by physical force

stretch one's mind with a good book

c

: strain

stretched his already thin patience

9

: to cause to reach or continue (as from one point to another or across a space)

stretch a wire between two posts

10

a

: to amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper limits

the rules can be stretched this once

b

: to expand (as by improvisation) to fulfill a larger function

stretching a dollar

11

: to extend (a hit) to an extra base usually by fast or daring running

stretch a single into a double

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become extended in length or breadth or both : spread

broad plains stretching to the sea

b

: to extend over a continuous period

the dynasty stretches back several centuries

2

: to become extended without breaking

3

a

: to extend one's body or limbs

stretched before jogging

wanted to stretch out on the sofa

b

: to lie down at full length

stretchability

ˌstre-chə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

stretchable

ˈstre-chə-bəl 

adjective

stretchy

ˈstre-chē 

adjective

stretch

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: an exercise of something (such as the understanding or the imagination) beyond ordinary or normal limits

their conclusion seemed like a bit of a stretch

b

: an extension of the scope or application of something

a stretch of language

2

: the extent to which something may be stretched

3

a

: the act of stretching : the state of being stretched

a good stretch for legs

b

: the position of a pitcher standing sideways to home plate so as to keep a runner close to a base

pitching from the stretch

4

a

: an extent in length or area

an open stretch of road

b

: a continuous period of time

can write for eight hours at a stretch

5

: a walk to relieve fatigue

6

: a term of imprisonment

served a 10-year stretch

7

a

: either of the straight sides of a racecourse

especially : homestretch

b

: a final stage (as of a contest or season)

won some crucial games down the stretch

8

: the capacity for being stretched : elasticity

a waistband with lots of stretch

9

: a stretch limousine

stretch

3 of 3

adjective

1

: easily stretched : elastic

a stretch wig

2

: longer than the standard size

a stretch limousine

Phrases

stretch a point

: to go beyond what is strictly warranted in making a claim or concession

stretch one's legs

1

: to extend the legs

2

: to take a walk in order to relieve stiffness caused by prolonged sitting

Synonyms

Verb

• color
• elaborate (on)
• embellish
• embroider
• exaggerate
• hyperbolize
• magnify
• pad

Noun

• breadth
• distance
• expanse
• expansion
• extent
• field
• length
• plain
• reach
• sheet
• spread
• waste

Adjective

• bouncy
• elastic
• flexible
• resilient
• rubberlike
• rubbery
• springy
• stretchable
• stretchy
• supple
• whippy

Examples of stretch in a Sentence

Verb

Don't yank on my sweater. You'll stretch it.

The elastic waistband of my pants won't stretch any more.

It's important to stretch before you exercise.

The baby stretched and yawned.

She woke up and stretched her arms above her head.

She stretched over us to open the window.

She stretched her hand toward him.

She stretched the canvas over the wooden frame.

The T-shirt was stretched tight over his belly.

A big banner was stretched across the doorway.

Noun

a 60-mile stretch of beach

an open stretch of highway

These are good stretches for your leg muscles.

I always spend a few minutes doing stretches before I exercise.

I can feel the stretch in the back of my legs.

Adjective

stretch fabrics that don't wrinkle or sag

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There had not been a shutdown since December 2018 to January 2019, when a partial one stretched for 35 days. —Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024

The study focuses on academic finance but its implications stretch far beyond. —Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Noun

In their last five games, the Blues are averaging just 1.43 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick, which ranks No. 29 in the NHL in that stretch. —Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024

By the numbers: Over the most recent five game stretch, Cousins has thrown nine interceptions to just one touchdown. —Ross Terrell, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Use lunch breaks as an opportunity to step away from your screen, stretch, and take care of yourself. —Sho Dewan, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

The spontaneity and variability of play help to recondition, stretch, and strengthen your muscle fascia – that super suit of connective tissue that supports every muscle and organ in your body. —Kate Ligler, Outside Online, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English strecchen, from Old English streccan; akin to Old High German strecchan to stretch, Old English stræc firm, severe

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1954, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stretch

• at a stretch
• at full stretch
• bend/stretch the rules
• by any/no stretch of the imagination
• stretch credulity
• stretch it
• stretch limo
• stretch limousine
• stretch marks
• stretch-out
• stretch receptor
• stretch runner
• stretch someone's patience
• stretch the truth
• stretch things
• the seventh-inning stretch
• the stretch

Kids Definition

stretch

1 of 3 verb

ˈstrech 

1

: to extend (as one's body) in a flat position

stretched out on the bed

2

: to reach out

stretched my arm

3

a

: to extend or become extended in length or width or both : spread

stretched his neck to see what was going on

b

: to extend over a continuous period

the dynasty stretches back several centuries

4

: to draw up (one's body) from a cramped, stooping, or relaxed position

awoke and stretched myself

5

: to pull tight

stretch the canvas on the frame

6

a

: to enlarge or expand especially by force

b

: to make excessive demands on : strain

stretched her already thin patience

7

: to cause to reach or continue

stretch a wire between two posts

8

: exaggerate

stretch the truth

9

: to become extended without breaking

10

: to extend one's body or limbs

stretched before jogging

stretchability

ˌstrech-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

stretchable

ˈstrech-ə-bəl 

adjective

stretch

2 of 3 noun

1

: an exercise of something beyond ordinary or normal limits

stretch of the imagination

2

: the extent to which something may be stretched

3

: the act of stretching (as of the body) : the state of being stretched

4

a

: an extent in length or area

a stretch of woods

b

: a continuous period of time

silent for a stretch

5

: a term of imprisonment

6

: either of the straight sides of a racecourse

especially : homestretch sense 1

7

: the ability to be stretched

stretch

3 of 3 adjective

1

: easily stretched : elastic

stretch socks

2

: longer than the standard size

a stretch limousine

Medical Definition

stretch

1 of 2 transitive verb

ˈstrech 

1

: to extend in length

was told to stretch the leg muscles before running

2

: to enlarge or distend especially by force

intransitive verb

1

: to become extended in length or breadth

2

: to extend one's body or limbs

stretch

2 of 2 noun

: the act of stretching : the state of being stretched

a muscle or group of muscles in stretch

—C. R. Houck