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

The dial is subtle and minimalist, in the Patrimony tradition, with 18k gold pearl minute markers (48 altogether), slim hands and stretched out hash marks on the lower half of the dial. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

If fitting walks into your schedule isn’t possible, look for other ways to get movement—this could include taking short breaks during work to stretch or walk, or doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for a short but effective workout, Ordovás recommended. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 9 Apr. 2024

Stretch it out: wind down with gentle movements Take some time before climbing into your rest nest to gently stretch out any tight areas or sore spots. —Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024

Elastane, the thread that gives stretch jeans their stretchiness, will curl and then collapse when compromised too much. —Jane Herman, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024

Cars are lined up on pit road, which stretches around Turn 1 on NASCAR’s shortest track. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2024

Doubt would have added to Daly’s seven Broadway credits, which stretch back to 1967’s That Summer - That Fall. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024

The last total solar eclipse to pass over the United States was August 21, 2017, and stretched from Oregon to South Carolina. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 5 Apr. 2024

Even on Waterman Road, where for long stretches the landscape is so deserted the Sierra Nevada are in view, someone taking the garbage cans inside after a family dinner isn’t safe from Sacramento’s hit-and-run epidemic. —Ryan Lillis, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024

Noun

The hotel’s location along an under-trafficked, 1,000-foot stretch of sand is still the stuff of envy, with gentle surf to satisfy families and more cautious swimmers. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024

However, the most significant storm threat could come Wednesday when the threat of severe storms — a Level 4 of 5 — stretches from eastern Louisiana to western Alabama, the prediction center said. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024

In one stretch more than a decade ago, Miami Police shot seven mostly young Black men in a seven-month period. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024

The contest, originally scheduled for Aug. 31, will begin a stretch of four home games to open the season for the Tigers. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2024

Expand All On the opposite end of Garden City’s stretch of Chinden Boulevard from the Fred Meyer store at Glenwood Street, Lea Rainey and Zach Yunker are getting ready to open a radically different grocery store. —John Sowell, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024

Some 2,000 of them dot the Southern Oregon coast, but the most spectacular are clustered along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a 12-mile stretch of stunning scenery along Highway 101. —Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024

Advertisement The partial roadway closure further limits access to the scenic highway through Big Sur, which is still recovering from other landslides last winter and earlier this season that closed a different stretch of the roadway about 40 miles south. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Image Image Hundreds of miles east of Kherson, in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, a stretch of land is defined by rolling hills and the slag heaps from the mines that dot the landscape. —Emile Ducke Thomas Gibbons-Neff, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Adjective

The soft, stretch fabric has built-in UPF 50+ to safeguard against UV rays and wicks away moisture, which is ideal for protection against the Caribbean’s rain showers and thunderstorms. —Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2024

Good American Crop Denim Jacket Push the envelope with this jacket, which updates the classic aviator look with stretch denim and a cropped length. —Jake Smith, Glamour, 2 Feb. 2024

These lightning-fast neutral shoes feature a sleek, minimalist, and breathable upper with stretch woven fabric that moves with the foot. —Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2024

Its stretch fleece side panels provide impressive freedom of movement even if the fit is fairly snug. —Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2024

Imagine if Mark Zuckerberg started wearing stretch Coperni dresses, for example—or if Elon Musk started wearing Cardi B’s Y/Project thigh-highs. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2023

Imagine if Mark Zuckerberg started wearing stretch Coperni dresses, for example…or if Elon Musk started wearing Cardi B’s Y/Project thigh-highs. —Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2023

This set comes in six different colorful stripe options and is made from a comfortable yet stretch modal material that keeps you cozy without overheating. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2023

The fabric has a flexible, comfortable four-way stretch, and the silhouette is built with a stretch-mesh gusset that (comfortably) hugs your crotch while promoting breathability. —Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2023

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