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
With jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, Golden Tempo, who entered Saturday's race with 9-2 odds, charged down the stretch at Saratoga Race Course to win the Belmont, holding off Commandment before the finish line at the historic track.
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CBS News, 6 June 2026
With jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, Golden Tempo charged down the stretch at Saratoga Race Course to win the Belmont, holding off Commandment before the finish line at the historic track to win at odds of 6-1.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
Loth promptly went out and took care of business, taking the lead early before briefly relinquishing it, then pulling away down the stretch.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 6 June 2026
His versatile shot-making was on full display down the stretch in Game 1, as Brunson repeatedly drove to the basket — particularly when shot-blocking Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was on the bench — and also drilled the game-winning 3-pointer.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 June 2026
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CBS News, 6 June 2026
With jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, Golden Tempo charged down the stretch at Saratoga Race Course to win the Belmont, holding off Commandment before the finish line at the historic track to win at odds of 6-1.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
Loth promptly went out and took care of business, taking the lead early before briefly relinquishing it, then pulling away down the stretch.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 6 June 2026
His versatile shot-making was on full display down the stretch in Game 1, as Brunson repeatedly drove to the basket — particularly when shot-blocking Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was on the bench — and also drilled the game-winning 3-pointer.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 June 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 10 Jun. 2026.
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