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
The restaurant, which opened in January 2024, is named after the stretch of South Delaware Street between Washington and Maryland streets where 19th century farmers gathered to sell various produce to city dwellers.
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Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
With their first matchup against Green Bay on Sunday afternoon, Moore said he much more prefers playing the Packers in December than in January to maintain the Bears' NFC North supremacy heading into the stretch run for the playoffs.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
The Texans also have a manageable schedule down the stretch, with matchups against the Cardinals, Raiders, Chargers and Colts.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
The Royals’ left-handed ace fought through a left rotator cuff strain but returned to form down the stretch.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
With their first matchup against Green Bay on Sunday afternoon, Moore said he much more prefers playing the Packers in December than in January to maintain the Bears' NFC North supremacy heading into the stretch run for the playoffs.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
The Texans also have a manageable schedule down the stretch, with matchups against the Cardinals, Raiders, Chargers and Colts.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
The Royals’ left-handed ace fought through a left rotator cuff strain but returned to form down the stretch.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Dec. 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 8 Dec. 2025.
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