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
After two pars to open her back nine, Green bogeyed the 12th hole but bounced back with three birdies down the stretch to finish with a 5-under 67.
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Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
South Ocean Boulevard also happens to be the main drag of Billionaires’ Beach, the stretch of oceanfront properties where the likes of Citadel founder Ken Griffin, Blackstone CEO, Stephen Schwarzman, Fidelity Investments CEO Abigail Johnson, and more live.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas brought the sandpaper, but were not all that impactful down the stretch.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Lee isn’t concerned with Knueppel tailing off down the stretch offensively.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
South Ocean Boulevard also happens to be the main drag of Billionaires’ Beach, the stretch of oceanfront properties where the likes of Citadel founder Ken Griffin, Blackstone CEO, Stephen Schwarzman, Fidelity Investments CEO Abigail Johnson, and more live.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas brought the sandpaper, but were not all that impactful down the stretch.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Lee isn’t concerned with Knueppel tailing off down the stretch offensively.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2026
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 24 Apr. 2026.
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