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
Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2023
First, the two front legs were made fast to the frame, then the two hind legs were stretched almost to the limit and tied to the opposite end of the frame.
—Outdoor Life, 23 Nov. 2023
The bedroom alone stretches to 20 feet long, and the suite is complete with two spa-like bathrooms.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2023
The installation, stretching over 35 meters wide, showcases signature Dior codes; from stars and clovers to Zodiac signs, resting upon floating floral motifs.
—Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
The route below, stretching over six days, maps out a drive between some of the highlights discovered during my year of tidal pool swimming.
—Freya Bromley, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2023
Its spine stretched from Winchester in New Haven, Connecticut, to Colt in Hartford to Smith & Wesson in Springfield, Massachusetts, and north to machine-gun maker Saco Lowell in Maine.
—James Bandler, ProPublica, 21 Nov. 2023
The stock has struggled, investors are restive and its key studios have been stretched.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
At the top, the crystal blue of the Pacific stretches out for miles.
—Kevin Maurer, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2023
Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2023
Record-Breaking Numbers: As more migrants risk a deadly trek to the U.S. border, brutal scenes are developing along the roadless stretch of jungle terrain.
—Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023
Central Park West, from West 75th to West 61st streets: Early risers can watch the beginning of the parade along this stretch.
—NBC News, 23 Nov. 2023
Visit the Vast North Set near the confluence of two rivers in a remote stretch of the Yukon, Fort Selkirk was built by Hudson’s Bay Company in the 19th century on the ancestral territory of the Hücha Hudän people.
—Diane Selkirk, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2023
Those two films opened last weekend in order to get a jump on Thanksgiving week, which can be one of the most lucrative stretches of the year for moviegoing.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Nov. 2023
That’s because the loungewear is made with soft spacer fabric that offers four-way stretch.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Many investors have piled into stocks as a result, sending shares toward their best three-week stretch since 2020.
—Gunjan Banerji, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
The building is a six-unit complex that sits on a quiet stretch of Northwest Washington.
—Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2023
The game looks like a full-fledged animated cartoon, with characters that squash, stretch, and smear in ways that add a real sense of momentum and life to the proceedings.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 18 Oct. 2023
Columbia Women’s Leslie Falls Nocturnal Hiking Pant The Columbia Women’s Leslie Falls Nocturnal Pant is an active-fit hiking pant that is meant to conquer trails with a stretch nylon fabric that moves with you.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2023
The brand names this fit the Federal, and makes the jeans in stretch denim that will retain its shape wear after wear while ensuring the fabric moves with your legs.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2023
Our tester loved this rain jacket for its stretch material in the back that provides extra mobility.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2023
Our pick for the best active rain jacket, the Kühl Stretch Voyager Jacket, has a good amount of stretch, reflective trim, and a watertight two-way zipper.
—Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023
One constant staple of the brand is its denim offerings, with a wide range of stretch and non-stretch styles to choose from.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 24 Sep. 2023
What’s Great About It These affordable sheets come with a stretch panel on each corner that hugs the mattress.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2023
See More
Verb
That meant fourteen straight losses, stretching into five days, with preening nominating speeches, occasional huddle-ups signifying nothing, and lots of pictures of members looking down at their phones.
—Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2023
First, the two front legs were made fast to the frame, then the two hind legs were stretched almost to the limit and tied to the opposite end of the frame.
—Outdoor Life, 23 Nov. 2023
The bedroom alone stretches to 20 feet long, and the suite is complete with two spa-like bathrooms.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2023
The installation, stretching over 35 meters wide, showcases signature Dior codes; from stars and clovers to Zodiac signs, resting upon floating floral motifs.
—Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
The route below, stretching over six days, maps out a drive between some of the highlights discovered during my year of tidal pool swimming.
—Freya Bromley, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2023
Its spine stretched from Winchester in New Haven, Connecticut, to Colt in Hartford to Smith & Wesson in Springfield, Massachusetts, and north to machine-gun maker Saco Lowell in Maine.
—James Bandler, ProPublica, 21 Nov. 2023
The stock has struggled, investors are restive and its key studios have been stretched.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
At the top, the crystal blue of the Pacific stretches out for miles.
—Kevin Maurer, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2023
Noun
This was the beginning of a potentially revealing stretch of five games in seven nights, with another game coming Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2023
Record-Breaking Numbers: As more migrants risk a deadly trek to the U.S. border, brutal scenes are developing along the roadless stretch of jungle terrain.
—Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023
Central Park West, from West 75th to West 61st streets: Early risers can watch the beginning of the parade along this stretch.
—NBC News, 23 Nov. 2023
Visit the Vast North Set near the confluence of two rivers in a remote stretch of the Yukon, Fort Selkirk was built by Hudson’s Bay Company in the 19th century on the ancestral territory of the Hücha Hudän people.
—Diane Selkirk, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2023
Those two films opened last weekend in order to get a jump on Thanksgiving week, which can be one of the most lucrative stretches of the year for moviegoing.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Nov. 2023
That’s because the loungewear is made with soft spacer fabric that offers four-way stretch.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Many investors have piled into stocks as a result, sending shares toward their best three-week stretch since 2020.
—Gunjan Banerji, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
The building is a six-unit complex that sits on a quiet stretch of Northwest Washington.
—Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
Adjective
The fabric has a flexible, comfortable four-way stretch, and the silhouette is built with a stretch-mesh gusset that (comfortably) hugs your crotch while promoting breathability.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2023
The game looks like a full-fledged animated cartoon, with characters that squash, stretch, and smear in ways that add a real sense of momentum and life to the proceedings.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 18 Oct. 2023
Columbia Women’s Leslie Falls Nocturnal Hiking Pant The Columbia Women’s Leslie Falls Nocturnal Pant is an active-fit hiking pant that is meant to conquer trails with a stretch nylon fabric that moves with you.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2023
The brand names this fit the Federal, and makes the jeans in stretch denim that will retain its shape wear after wear while ensuring the fabric moves with your legs.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2023
Our tester loved this rain jacket for its stretch material in the back that provides extra mobility.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2023
Our pick for the best active rain jacket, the Kühl Stretch Voyager Jacket, has a good amount of stretch, reflective trim, and a watertight two-way zipper.
—Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2023
One constant staple of the brand is its denim offerings, with a wide range of stretch and non-stretch styles to choose from.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 24 Sep. 2023
What’s Great About It These affordable sheets come with a stretch panel on each corner that hugs the mattress.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 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 30 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share