extend

verb

ex·​tend ik-ˈstend 

extended; extending; extends

transitive verb

1

: to spread or stretch forth : unbend

extended both her arms

2

a

: 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

4

a

: to make the offer of : proffer

extending aid to the needy

extending their greetings

b

: to make available

extending credit to customers

5

a

: 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

6

a

: 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

extendability

ik-ˌsten-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

extendable adjective

or less commonly extendible

ik-ˈsten-də-bəl 

Synonyms

• lengthen
• prolong
• increase
• stretch

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

Robert drove in Benintendi with a single, extending the lead to 3-0. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025

What happens when these results are extended across the population as a whole? —Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 19 July 2025

Earlier this week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott extended the disaster declaration to include 26 counties impacted. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025

The left-wing conversion extended the Bulls’ lead to 33-14 at the seven-minute mark in the second. —Andy Theobald, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French estendre, from Latin extendere, from ex- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing extend

• extend oneself

Rhymes for extend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend

Kids Definition

extend

verb

ex·​tend ik-ˈstend 

1

: to straighten out or stretch forth

extended both arms

2

a

: to offer to someone

extend an apology

b

: to make available

extend credit

3

a

: to stretch out : make longer

extend a visit

an extended metaphor

b

: to make larger

extend the meaning of a word

4

: to stretch out or reach across a distance, space, or time

the woods extend for miles to the west

the bridge extends across the river

extendable adjective

also extendible

-ˈsten-də-bəl 

Medical Definition

extend

transitive verb

ex·​tend ik-ˈstend 

1

: to straighten out (as an arm or leg)

2

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

extending ground meat with cereal

also : adulterate