extend

verb

ex·tend | \ ik-ˈstend

extended; extending; extends

Definition of extend

transitive verb

1 : to spread or stretch forth : unbend extended both her arms

2a : to stretch out to fullest length

b : to cause (an animal, such as a horse) to move at full stride

c : to exert (oneself) to full capacity could work long and hard without seeming to extend himself

d(1) : to increase the bulk of (as by adding a cheaper substance or a modifier)

(2) : adulterate

3 [ Middle English, from Medieval Latin extendere (from Latin) or Anglo-French estendre, from Old French ]

a British : to take possession of (something, such as land) by a writ of extent

b obsolete : to take by force

4a : to make the offer of : proffer extending aid to the needy extending their greetings

b : to make available extending credit to customers

5a : to cause to reach (as in distance or scope) national authority was extended over new territories

b : to cause to be longer : prolong extend the side of a triangle extended their visit another day also : to prolong the time of payment of

c : advance, further extending her potential through job training

6a : to cause to be of greater area or volume : enlarge extended the patio to the back of the house

b : to increase the scope, meaning, or application of : broaden beauty, I suppose, opens the heart, extends the consciousness— Algernon Blackwood

c archaic : exaggerate

intransitive verb

1 : to stretch out in distance, space, or time : reach their jurisdiction extended over the whole area

2 : to reach in scope or application his concern extends beyond mere business to real service to his customers

Other Words from extend Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about extend

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Other Words from extend

extendability \ ik-ˌsten-də-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

extendable or less commonly extendible \ ik-ˈsten-də-bəl

\ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for extend

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length. extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range. extend a vacation extend welfare services lengthen a skirt lengthen the workweek prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits. prolonged illness protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness. protracted litigation

Examples of extend in a Sentence

He extended a hand in greeting. sitting with both legs fully extended The table measures eight feet long when it is fully extended. The table extends to eight feet in length. The woods extend for miles to the west. Their knowledge of the family's history extends back to colonial times. Their influence extends well beyond their immediate circle of friends. His popularity extends from coast to coast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi addressed reporters Sunday morning about the first half, the July trade deadline, whether the Giants will be sellers and the prospect of holding on to Madison Bumgarner or even extending him. — Henry Schulman, SFChronicle.com, "Giants’ Farhan Zaidi on trades: ‘We don’t feel like we have to do anything’," 7 July 2019 But the Warriors are not going to extend him as the Rockets do with James Harden or how Oklahoma City does with Russell Westbrook. — Mark Medina, The Mercury News, "Warriors mailbag: What’s next for Warriors after Kevin Durant?," 5 July 2019 Paltrow’s forgetfulness also extended to Holland, who played the star superhero in the Spider-Man: Homecoming film. — Matt Mcnulty, PEOPLE.com, "Sebastian Stan Jokes That Avengers Costar Gwyneth Paltrow Still Doesn't Know Him," 5 July 2019 Dozier's blast extended Washington's home run streak to 17 consecutive games, the longest in a half-century franchise history that includes the team's time in Montreal. — sun-sentinel.com, "Nats’ Strasburg dominant against Marlins with his most strikeouts (14) in more than 2 years," 4 July 2019 In January, trustees of the Harlandale Independent School District extended Superintendent Rey Madrigal’s contract another year, to June 2021. — Krista Torralva, ExpressNews.com, "Harlandale ISD board’s response to TEA crackdown might include action on superintendent," 1 July 2019 The United States has slapped tariffs on $250 billion worth of goods already, and Mr. Trump has threatened to extend them to another $300 billion of goods — practically all remaining imports from China — if the two nations can’t reach an agreement. — Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, "Fed Chair Powell Weighs Whether Cut Will Be Needed as Risks Loom," 25 June 2019 Three of those runs came in the first inning, as an Alex Gordon double gave the Royals a 2-1 lead and a Lucas Duda single extended it. — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, "Twins fall 4-1 to Royals in Odorizzi-Sparkman rematch," 20 June 2019 Last December, a year before the deadline, the government extended it to March 2022, which is also too ambitious, analysts Quartz spoke to said. — Kuwar Singh, Quartz India, "Can smart meters re-energise India’s crumbling power distribution companies?," 18 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'extend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near extend

Statistics for extend

Last Updated

10 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for extend

The first known use of extend was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for extend

extend

verb

English Language Learners Definition of extend

: to cause (something, such as your arm or leg) to straighten out or to stretch out

: to become longer or to be able to become longer

: to continue in a specified direction or over a specified distance, space, or time

See the full definition for extend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

extend

verb

ex·tend | \ ik-ˈstend

extended; extending

Kids Definition of extend

1 : to hold out extend a hand

2 : to stretch out or across something There was no way of going around it, for it seemed to extend … as far as they could see …— L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz

3 : to make longer extend a visit

4 : stretch entry 1 sense 2 extend a sail

5 : enlarge extend the meaning of a word