the stretch
noun
: the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line
the horses are in the (final) stretch
—often used figurativelyShe's in the final stretch. The baby's due next month.
They will wind up the season with a winning record having won some crucial games down the stretch.
Examples of the stretch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Relievers Ronny Henriquez and Calvin Faucher helped Miami preserve the lead down the stretch, with Faucher earning his eighth save after issuing a leadoff walk to Ramos in the ninth.
—
Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
Ohtani has made his pitching debut for the Dodgers this season, but could he be better served in the bullpen down the stretch, rather than in the rotation?
—Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Robinson returned from ankle surgery to anchor New York’s defense down the stretch.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
And the bullpen danced in and out of trouble down the stretch.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
Ohtani has made his pitching debut for the Dodgers this season, but could he be better served in the bullpen down the stretch, rather than in the rotation?
—Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Robinson returned from ankle surgery to anchor New York’s defense down the stretch.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
And the bullpen danced in and out of trouble down the stretch.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
Cite this Entry
“The stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20stretch. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share