stretched; stretching; stretches
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
The explanation stretches credulity. [=is hard to believe]
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
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
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
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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Route 66 Also called The Mother Road, Route 66 stretches almost 2,500 miles and spans eight states, beginning in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, California.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich No forward in Europe had better final third production last season than Kane, who scored 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern while somehow also playing as the team’s No 10 for long stretches.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
Now on sale for $60, the Levi’s Baggy Cinch Jeans are a slightly more casual wide-leg option that are still perfect for your summer travels with their breathable fit despite their non-stretch, 100 percent cotton construction.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Presenting what must be some of the Riviera's most impressive views, every room of the hotel has access to 180-degree uninterrupted vistas of the Mediterranean sea and coastline stretching from Italy all the way along to the Principality and beyond.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Route 66 Also called The Mother Road, Route 66 stretches almost 2,500 miles and spans eight states, beginning in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, California.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Noun
The backstory Playa Cativo is one of the only hotels along this quiet stretch of coast—and by far the most luxurious (the only other lodge nearby is a hostel popular with backpackers).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich No forward in Europe had better final third production last season than Kane, who scored 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern while somehow also playing as the team’s No 10 for long stretches.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Adjective
Multiple experts predict that higher stretch skinny jeans will be on their way back into the trend cycle for upcoming seasons—albeit in a different form than the skinnies from the aughts.
—Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
Now on sale for $60, the Levi’s Baggy Cinch Jeans are a slightly more casual wide-leg option that are still perfect for your summer travels with their breathable fit despite their non-stretch, 100 percent cotton construction.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stretch. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stretch
1 of 3 verb1
: 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
stretch
2 of 3 noun1
: 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 adjective1
: easily stretched : elastic
stretch socks
2
: longer than the standard size
a stretch limousine
Medical Definition
stretch
1 of 2 transitive verb1
: to extend in length
was told to stretch the leg muscles before running
2
: to enlarge or distend especially by force
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
C. R. HouckLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
