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

Bedard’s team lost six of seven games before the Winter Games, closing the stretch with a 4-0 road shellacking against the Columbus Blue Jackets. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Barnes could get the chance to pursue another opportunity elsewhere before the stretch run at the end of this season. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The base material determines the feel and how long the swimsuit will last, and the stretch determines much of the fit. — Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 16 July 2026

The Sharks nearly made the playoffs last season, but, for a variety of reasons, faltered down the stretch and finished four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the Western Conference’s second and final wild card spot. — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

Rhymes for the stretch

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