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
Now, with the stretch run comes the opportunity to see who the Phillies will ride with in the postseason.
—
Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Even Purdy himself dealt with a shoulder issue down the stretch.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
In psychology, this is the stretch zone—the space beyond comfort where growth happens.
—Ashley B. Stewart, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Keep your knees only slightly bent (not locked) and feel the stretch at the bottom position.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Even Purdy himself dealt with a shoulder issue down the stretch.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
In psychology, this is the stretch zone—the space beyond comfort where growth happens.
—Ashley B. Stewart, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Keep your knees only slightly bent (not locked) and feel the stretch at the bottom position.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 2 Sep. 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 Sep. 2025.
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