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
Hold for 30-60 seconds, and modify the distance to increase or decrease the stretch before switching legs.
—
Jakob Roze, Health, 26 Dec. 2025
Mitchell was 4 of 11 in the final frame, and Darius Garland, who otherwise enjoyed an encouraging game with 20 points, 10 assists, and good defense on Brunson, shot 1 of 5 down the stretch.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
This is the eighth bowl appearance in the past 10 years for North Texas, which has lost all seven games during the stretch.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
There are some key differences in that idea from the reality that doomed the Rapids down the stretch of 2025.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 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.
Jakob Roze, Health, 26 Dec. 2025
Mitchell was 4 of 11 in the final frame, and Darius Garland, who otherwise enjoyed an encouraging game with 20 points, 10 assists, and good defense on Brunson, shot 1 of 5 down the stretch.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
This is the eighth bowl appearance in the past 10 years for North Texas, which has lost all seven games during the stretch.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
There are some key differences in that idea from the reality that doomed the Rapids down the stretch of 2025.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 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 30 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share