the stretch

noun

: the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line

the horses are in the (final) stretch

—often used figuratively

She'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

Rolon’s niece said the stretch of Decker Ave. — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026

These large-range movements keep your body moving through the stretch, shortening and lengthening your muscles. — Hannah Harper, Health, 1 July 2026

Wheeler had to mind his strokes down the stretch, too, as Wade Binfield — one of the pros in this year’s field — had the hot hand Friday. — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026

The Canucks had a good thing going down the stretch, with a variety of players stepping up for their teammates and standing up for one another. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Rhymes for the stretch

• etch
• fetch
• fletch
• ketch
• sketch
• vetch
• wretch