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
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
Synonyms
Verb
Noun
Adjective
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
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Ainslie Lee | Alee@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2023
Police set up a perimeter stretching several miles in each direction.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023
Across the river in the town of Fruitland, in western Idaho, new housing subdivisions stretch out for miles from the main streets.
—Scott Wilson, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2023
If the strike stretches on, dealer lots that sell existing inventory to customers will be unable to replenish their stock with new vehicles.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023
Nothing is worse than when leggings get loose and stretch out.
—Dana Leigh Smith, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2023
The fight to reverse the Russian invasion stretches across multiple regions and hundreds of miles, but the Ukrainian military has long maintained that it cannot be won without taking aim at Russian assets and operations in Crimea.
—Marc Santora, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
The hit could balloon to $4 billion to $5 billion if the strikes stretch into October, according to an estimate from Todd Holmes, associate professor of entertainment media management at Cal State Northridge.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023
Their history of services stretches all the way back to Clara Barton in 1881.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2023
Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023
Heat records were set across the country, and much of the southern tier spent this summer in the grips of a particularly unrelenting stretch of heat and humidity.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2023
Last year, city officials took control of the 7-mile stretch of the road within city limits from the Oregon Department of Transportation in order to make major safety upgrades.
—Bslovic, oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
In the United States, a tropical storm warning was in effect for a 230-mile stretch from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the eastern end of Maine.
—Robert F. Bukaty and David Sharp, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
This has been a very warm overnight stretch with this morning being the first time in over 11 days temperatures have fallen below 65 degrees at Logan Airport.
—Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023
The four-way stretch spandex works in the back of the knee to promote a comfortable flex.
—Jack Byram, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2023
Linda Plumlee bounced around rural Alturas, Calif., sleeping on couches and spare beds and, for a stretch, the back seat of her car — all while organizing blood drives and getting good grades and helping classmates with their homework.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023
In the 98 2/3 innings between those two frames, Bradish emerged as an AL Cy Young Award candidate, recording a 2.19 ERA in that stretch.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023
Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2023
The new range also features garments designed for practical travelers who still want a touch of elegance, such as light jersey bomber jacket and pants in stretch nylon, which can be folded up and packed in a pouch.
—Alison S. Cohn, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 June 2023
Put on your favorite leggings and get ready to breathe, stretch, and flow in harmony with the universe with these yoga poses for beginners.
—Dulce Moncada, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2023
Besides new technology, some commercial construction companies that have long relied on daily flex and stretch huddles are incorporating exercises to check for impairment, Xavier said.
—Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 27 July 2023
Best Lace Wacoal Soft Sense Bralette 4.4 View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales Our Ratings Fit 4/5 Support 4/5 Quality 4.7/5 Comfort 4.4/5 Adjustability 5/5 Pros The lace is made of a stretch nylon material, which is ideal for bralettes.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 26 May 2023
In the wake of the incident, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a ban on stretch limos, among other reforms.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 May 2023
These cuts can look and feel more like the cringe-worthy cargo shorts of the late 90's though, which is why most outfitters have started incorporating stretch fabric into their designs.
—Kurt Spurlock, menshealth.com, 31 May 2023
Hussain was in charge of day-to-day operations for the company, Prestige Limousine, when a group celebrating a 30th birthday party rented a stretch Ford Excursion SUV on Oct. 6, 2018.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 31 May 2023
See More
Verb
Alex McPherson splits the uprights for a 22-yard FG
Auburn’s Alex McPherson stretched the Tigers’ lead to 17-0 with a 22-yard chip-shot field goal with 46 seconds to play in the first half.
—Ainslie Lee | Alee@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2023
Police set up a perimeter stretching several miles in each direction.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023
Across the river in the town of Fruitland, in western Idaho, new housing subdivisions stretch out for miles from the main streets.
—Scott Wilson, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2023
If the strike stretches on, dealer lots that sell existing inventory to customers will be unable to replenish their stock with new vehicles.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023
Nothing is worse than when leggings get loose and stretch out.
—Dana Leigh Smith, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2023
The fight to reverse the Russian invasion stretches across multiple regions and hundreds of miles, but the Ukrainian military has long maintained that it cannot be won without taking aim at Russian assets and operations in Crimea.
—Marc Santora, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
The hit could balloon to $4 billion to $5 billion if the strikes stretch into October, according to an estimate from Todd Holmes, associate professor of entertainment media management at Cal State Northridge.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023
Their history of services stretches all the way back to Clara Barton in 1881.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2023
Noun
This loose-fitting pair features flexible stretch technology and temperature regulation for all-day comfort.
—Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023
Heat records were set across the country, and much of the southern tier spent this summer in the grips of a particularly unrelenting stretch of heat and humidity.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2023
Last year, city officials took control of the 7-mile stretch of the road within city limits from the Oregon Department of Transportation in order to make major safety upgrades.
—Bslovic, oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
In the United States, a tropical storm warning was in effect for a 230-mile stretch from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the eastern end of Maine.
—Robert F. Bukaty and David Sharp, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
This has been a very warm overnight stretch with this morning being the first time in over 11 days temperatures have fallen below 65 degrees at Logan Airport.
—Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023
The four-way stretch spandex works in the back of the knee to promote a comfortable flex.
—Jack Byram, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2023
Linda Plumlee bounced around rural Alturas, Calif., sleeping on couches and spare beds and, for a stretch, the back seat of her car — all while organizing blood drives and getting good grades and helping classmates with their homework.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023
In the 98 2/3 innings between those two frames, Bradish emerged as an AL Cy Young Award candidate, recording a 2.19 ERA in that stretch.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Barbara White, co-owner and chief financial officer of VIP Transportation Group in Orlando, Fla., said that her business sold two of its stretch limos in recent years, replacing one with a Sprinter van.
—Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2023
The new range also features garments designed for practical travelers who still want a touch of elegance, such as light jersey bomber jacket and pants in stretch nylon, which can be folded up and packed in a pouch.
—Alison S. Cohn, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 June 2023
Put on your favorite leggings and get ready to breathe, stretch, and flow in harmony with the universe with these yoga poses for beginners.
—Dulce Moncada, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2023
Besides new technology, some commercial construction companies that have long relied on daily flex and stretch huddles are incorporating exercises to check for impairment, Xavier said.
—Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 27 July 2023
Best Lace Wacoal Soft Sense Bralette 4.4 View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales Our Ratings Fit 4/5 Support 4/5 Quality 4.7/5 Comfort 4.4/5 Adjustability 5/5 Pros The lace is made of a stretch nylon material, which is ideal for bralettes.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 26 May 2023
In the wake of the incident, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a ban on stretch limos, among other reforms.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 May 2023
These cuts can look and feel more like the cringe-worthy cargo shorts of the late 90's though, which is why most outfitters have started incorporating stretch fabric into their designs.
—Kurt Spurlock, menshealth.com, 31 May 2023
Hussain was in charge of day-to-day operations for the company, Prestige Limousine, when a group celebrating a 30th birthday party rented a stretch Ford Excursion SUV on Oct. 6, 2018.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 31 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stretch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English strecchen, from Old English streccan; akin to Old High German strecchan to stretch, Old English stræc firm, severe
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1954, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of stretch was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing stretch
Articles Related to stretch
Dictionary Entries Near stretch
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stretch. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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. Houck
More from Merriam-Webster on stretch
Nglish: Translation of stretch for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of stretch for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stretch
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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