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
On their own, Cheech, in his scuffed Crocs, walking the stretch of Venice Boardwalk ahead of his once (and maybe future) co-star went virtually unrecognized.
—
Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
The Wild won four of their last five games of the regular season, all in overtime, which will give them confidence if their game is close down the stretch.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Here are our takeaways from Game 1: Hill wins goalie duel
Filip Gustavsson has been the Wild’s MVP this season, and their best player down the stretch.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Some of the poles on the stretch of southbound I-95 from Broward through the Golden Glades to State Road 826 show the wear and tear.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
The Wild won four of their last five games of the regular season, all in overtime, which will give them confidence if their game is close down the stretch.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Here are our takeaways from Game 1: Hill wins goalie duel
Filip Gustavsson has been the Wild’s MVP this season, and their best player down the stretch.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Some of the poles on the stretch of southbound I-95 from Broward through the Golden Glades to State Road 826 show the wear and tear.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 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 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share