stretcher

noun stretch·er \ ˈstre-chər \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of stretcher

1 a : one that stretches; especially : a device or machine for stretching or expanding something

b : an exaggerated story : a tall tale

2 a : a brick or stone laid with its length parallel to the face of the wall

b : a timber or rod used especially when horizontal as a tie in framed work

3 : a device for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person

4 : a rod or bar extending between two legs of a chair or table

See stretcher defined for English-language learners

See stretcher defined for kids

Examples of stretcher in a Sentence

They carried her out to the ambulance on a stretcher.

Recent Examples of stretcher from the Web

With eight minutes remaining in the second, Austria defenseman Steven Strong received a hit from Sven Andrighetto and was taken off on a stretcher.

— karel janicek, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. shuts out Denmark for second straight victory at hockey worlds," 5 May 2018
SUBSCRIBE TODAY Footage from a Coast Guard helicopter captured the rescue, including first responders placing Motte on a stretcher before airlifting him out.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "He tried to kiss the Blarney Stone, but rescuers had to airlift him from Irish castle | Charlotte Observer," 25 Apr. 2018
Firefighters with the Houston Fire Department utilized a ladder truck to reach the driver, who was seen being taken away on a stretcher.

— jay r. jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Pickup almost falls off U.S. 290 overpass under construction," 19 Apr. 2018
The officers held him to the ground until paramedics arrived, placed him on a stretcher, and put him in the ambulance.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "Video of Massachusetts Cops Punching Black Harvard Student Sparks Outrage," 17 Apr. 2018
Fire trucks and ambulances stood outside, and unused stretchers leaned against a wall.

— juan carlos hernandez, chicagotribune.com, "Official: 68 dead in Venezuela after riot, fire hit police station," 29 Mar. 2018
Fire trucks and ambulances stood outside, and unused stretchers leaned against a wall.

— Fox News, "At least 68 die after Venezuela prison riot, fire," 29 Mar. 2018
Eventually, the woman was taken away on a stretcher, Williams said.

— robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "911 call leads police to double homicide at Independence apartment | The Kansas City Star," 12 Apr. 2018
Face-off specialist Brady Crumbacker exited the contest on a stretcher after a nasty helmet-to-helmet blow knocked him to the turf, causing a 25-minute delay.

— kyle mcfadden, Howard County Times, "River Hill boys lacrosse holds off Century, 5-4," 7 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of stretcher

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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stretcher

verb

Definition of stretcher

transitive verb

: to carry or transport on a stretcher

See stretcher defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of stretcher from the Web

Defender Aïssatou Tounkara, playing in just her sixth international match, needed to be stretchered off the pitch with a cast on her lower left leg after a challenge on Germany’s Dzesnifer Marozsan.

— jordan culver, OrlandoSentinel.com, "U.S. defeats England in Orlando, wins SheBelieves Cup," 8 Mar. 2018
Winston Reid has been stretchered off for West Ham after falling awkwardly.

— SI.com, "Swansea 4-1 West Ham: Carvalhal Revival Continues With Ayew-Led Demolition of Hammers," 3 Mar. 2018
Mbappe, already bleeding from his head from an earlier challenge, had to be stretchered off and replaced by Julian Draxler after being flattened by some strong goalkeeping from Portuguese Lopes.

— jed court/afp, chicagotribune.com, "Ligue 1 Recap: Lyon upend PSG, Monaco regain 3rd place," 21 Jan. 2018
Neymar faces a race to be fit for the second leg of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last 16 tie against Real Madrid after he was stretchered off against Marseille in Sunday's Classique.

— SI.com, "Neymar Facing Race to Be Fit for Real Madrid Clash After Being Stretchered Off in Le Classique," 26 Feb. 2018
Feddal, who only joined Betis from Alaves in the close season, had to be stretchered off in the 52nd minute.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "Morocco's Feddal injures achilles, risks missing World Cup," 3 Feb. 2018
Crowd stunned in silence as Japan's Yuto Totsuka is hurt in the halfpipe, about to be stretchered out.

— tess koman, Cosmopolitan, "16-Year-Old Snowboarder's Olympic Debut Ends With Devastating Crash," 14 Feb. 2018
The home fans' jubilance was swiftly cut short, as Mooy was stretchered off after picking up a knee injury.

— SI.com, "Impressive Huddersfield Routs Bournemouth to Earn Three Vital Points," 11 Feb. 2018
Get well soon: Joachim Blichfeld had to be stretchered off the ice after getting hit in Denmark's second World Junior relegation game with Belarus.

— samantha meese, OregonLive.com, "On the Portland Winterhawks: Wait for It...," 7 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of stretcher

1973

in the meaning defined above

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STRETCHER Defined for English Language Learners

stretcher

noun

Definition of stretcher for English Language Learners

: a device that is made of a long piece of thick cloth stretched between two poles and that is used for carrying an injured or dead person

stretcher

verb

Definition of stretcher for English Language Learners

: to carry (someone) on a stretcher

STRETCHER Defined for Kids

stretcher

noun stretch·er \ ˈstre-chər \

Definition of stretcher for Students

: a device like a cot used for carrying a sick or injured person

Medical Dictionary

stretcher

noun stretch·er \ ˈstrech-ər \

medical Definition of stretcher

: a device for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person

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See words that rhyme with stretcher Spanish Central: Translation of stretcher Nglish: Translation of stretcher for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stretcher for Arabic speakers

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stretcher

Definition of stretcher

Examples of stretcher in a Sentence

Recent Examples of stretcher from the Web

First Known Use of stretcher

stretcher

Definition of stretcher

Recent Examples of stretcher from the Web

First Known Use of stretcher

STRETCHER Defined for English Language Learners

stretcher

Definition of stretcher for English Language Learners

stretcher

Definition of stretcher for English Language Learners

STRETCHER Defined for Kids

stretcher

Definition of stretcher for Students

Medical Dictionary

stretcher

medical Definition of stretcher

Learn More about stretcher

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