stretcher

1 of 2

noun

stretch·​er ˈstre-chər 

1

a

: one that stretches

especially : a device or machine for stretching or expanding something

b

: an exaggerated story : a tall tale

2

a

: a brick or stone laid with its length parallel to the face of the wall

b

: a timber or rod used especially when horizontal as a tie in framed work

3

: a device for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person

4

: a rod or bar extending between two legs of a chair or table

stretcher

2 of 2

verb

stretchered; stretchering; stretchers

transitive verb

: to carry or transport on a stretcher

Examples of stretcher in a Sentence

Noun

They carried her out to the ambulance on a stretcher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The man, who appeared to be alive, was taken on a stretcher into an ambulance. —Nik Popli, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024

Emergency crews rushed away a person on a stretcher after a fire was extinguished outside the courthouse where jury selection for former President Donald Trump's trial is taking place. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1973, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stretcher

noun

stretch·​er

ˈstrech-ər

1

: one that stretches

especially : a device or machine for stretching or expanding something

2

: a device that resembles a cot and is used for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person

Medical Definition

stretcher

noun

stretch·​er ˈstrech-ər 

: a device for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person