stretch

1 of 3

verb

stretched; stretching; stretches

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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
stretchability noun
stretchable adjective
stretchy adjective

stretch

2 of 3

noun

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

stretch

3 of 3

adjective

1
: easily stretched : elastic
a stretch wig
2
: longer than the standard size
a stretch limousine
Phrases
stretch a point
: to go beyond what is strictly warranted in making a claim or concession
stretch one's legs
1
: to extend the legs
2
: to take a walk in order to relieve stiffness caused by prolonged sitting

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
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

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.

Kids Definition

stretch

1 of 3 verb
1
: 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
stretchability noun
stretchable adjective

stretch

2 of 3 noun
1
: 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 adjective
1
: easily stretched : elastic
stretch socks
2
: longer than the standard size
a stretch limousine

Medical Definition

stretch

1 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to extend in length
was told to stretch the leg muscles before running
2
: to enlarge or distend especially by force

intransitive verb

1
: to become extended in length or breadth
2
: to extend one's body or limbs

stretch

2 of 2 noun
: the act of stretching : the state of being stretched
a muscle or group of muscles in stretchC. R. Houck

More from Merriam-Webster on stretch

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