the stretch
noun
: the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line
the horses are in the (final) stretch
—often used figurativelyShe's in the final stretch. The baby's due next month.
They will wind up the season with a winning record having won some crucial games down the stretch.
Examples of the stretch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Callender entered in the 86th minute and did not allow a ball to get past him as Inter Miami successfully held off Philadelphia despite an additional nine minutes of stoppage time and some contentious play between the sides down the stretch.
—
Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
That’s where real growth happens, not in the comfort zone, but in the stretch.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Even with their poor season, the Pelicans have fought down the stretch.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
His biggest challenge down the stretch is keeping his guys engaged.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
That’s where real growth happens, not in the comfort zone, but in the stretch.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Even with their poor season, the Pelicans have fought down the stretch.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
His biggest challenge down the stretch is keeping his guys engaged.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
Cite this Entry
“The stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20stretch. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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