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

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

Last year, Ryan Snow, the California state chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the train workers’ union, told The Times that engineers dreaded the stretch of tracks near the falls. — Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Residents who live along the stretch under construction will be able to access their driveways and emergency vehicles will as well. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

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

Rhymes for the stretch

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