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
The Mavericks made critical free throws down the stretch and 16 of 17 overall (94.1%) compared to Minnesota’s 11 of 18.
—
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2024
Ansen Park had two of his game-high four assists during the stretch.
—Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for the stretch 
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2024
Ansen Park had two of his game-high four assists during the stretch.
—Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for the stretch
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the stretch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near the stretch
Cite this Entry
“The stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20stretch. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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