extend

verb

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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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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 The federal legislation would extend the PUA and PEUC programs until March 14. — Adrienne Roberts, Detroit Free Press, "Unemployment benefits have been extended. So when will the checks come?," 29 Dec. 2020 The bill would extend the maximum number of weeks a person can claim unemployment benefits to 50 weeks. — Natalie Andrews, WSJ, "Trump Signals He Will Sign Covid-19 Aid Bill," 27 Dec. 2020 The stimulus bill would extend two major pandemic programs for 11 weeks, as well as top up regular state benefits with an extra $300 in weekly jobless aid. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, "Unemployment aid: When would the $300-per-week benefit begin?," 26 Dec. 2020 The relief package passed this week would extend two emergency programs that cover people who are left out of the regular unemployment system or whose benefits have expired. — New York Times, "New Signs of Economic Distress Emerge as Trump Imperils Aid Deal," 23 Dec. 2020 The measure that passed Congress would extend benefits into March. — David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, "Trump gives Congress chaos for Christmas, with aid to millions up in the air," 23 Dec. 2020 The package would extend unemployment benefits of up to $300 per week, beginning as soon as Dec. 27 and run at least through mid-March. — Washington Post, "Jobless claims remain high, raising stakes for Trump’s new demands on economic relief bill," 23 Dec. 2020 The federal bill also will extend benefits for about 40,000 Minnesotans who had been receiving unemployment payments through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which was also scheduled to expire later this week. — Kavita Kumar, Star Tribune, "As federal stimulus rolls out, Minnesota businesses learning specifics on state aid," 22 Dec. 2020 Another addition would extend a batch of soon-to-expire tax breaks, such as one for craft brewers, wineries and distillers. — Andrew Taylor, Anchorage Daily News, "House passes $900 billion COVID relief, catchall measure," 22 Dec. 2020

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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Last Updated

9 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Extend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extend. Accessed 21 Jan. 2021.

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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

extend

transitive verb

ex·tend | \ ik-ˈstend