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
Tied again at 21, the Rattlers had three hitting errors down the stretch.
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Tim Meehan Sd, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
The Houston Astros fell apart down the stretch this season and ended up missing the postseason as the Seattle Mariners surged into October.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Nic Swanson had a 72-yard run during the stretch in which the Cougars scored 28 straight points.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
The Rams badly need this one — a loss would put them on the wrong side of a season sweep against the 49ers, a setback that could loom large in division tiebreakers down the stretch.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Tim Meehan Sd, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
The Houston Astros fell apart down the stretch this season and ended up missing the postseason as the Seattle Mariners surged into October.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Nic Swanson had a 72-yard run during the stretch in which the Cougars scored 28 straight points.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
The Rams badly need this one — a loss would put them on the wrong side of a season sweep against the 49ers, a setback that could loom large in division tiebreakers down the stretch.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2025.
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