stretcher

1 of 2

noun

stretch·​er ˈstre-chər 

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

stretcher

2 of 2

verb

stretchered; stretchering; stretchers

transitive verb

: to carry or transport on a stretcher

Examples of stretcher in a Sentence

Noun

They carried her out to the ambulance on a stretcher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Utah Jazz guard Trey Alexander was taken from the court on stretcher Monday night after appearing to injure his side on a drive to the basket in an NBA Summer League game against the Chicago Bulls. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

Rescuers had to carry an injured hiker down from the summit of a New Hampshire mountain on a stretcher over the weekend, but that didn't stop her from getting engaged. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Verb

Others showed chaotic scenes as officials worked to stretcher the wounded onto helicopters to be airlifted to hospital. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025

One person was rescued by firefighters using a rigid basket or stretcher and lowered by a rope system to the ground. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stretcher

• etcher
• lecher

Kids Definition

stretcher

noun

stretch·​er

ˈstrech-ər

1

: one that stretches

especially : a device or machine for stretching or expanding something

2

: a device that resembles a cot and is used for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person

Medical Definition

stretcher

noun

stretch·​er ˈstrech-ər 

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