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 Sharks started strong, but a bad line change and turnover in their own zone in the third period led to two goals against and a 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday, disappointing a sellout crowd of 17,435 eager to see their team start the stretch run on a positive note.
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Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
The fire caused periodic lane closures due to smoke and poor visibility on the stretch of Interstate 75 known as Alligator Alley.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Opponents are finding it too damn easy to get to the bucket and as a result, the offense faces momentous pressure down the stretch of these games because stops and takeaways aren't falling from the sky.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Joey Jakstys, a 6-foot-8 forward who is considered one of the top sophomores in Illinois, led all players with 21 points, including four 3-pointers, and seven rebounds for Yorkville, which outscored the Huskies 13-5 down the stretch.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
The fire caused periodic lane closures due to smoke and poor visibility on the stretch of Interstate 75 known as Alligator Alley.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Opponents are finding it too damn easy to get to the bucket and as a result, the offense faces momentous pressure down the stretch of these games because stops and takeaways aren't falling from the sky.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Joey Jakstys, a 6-foot-8 forward who is considered one of the top sophomores in Illinois, led all players with 21 points, including four 3-pointers, and seven rebounds for Yorkville, which outscored the Huskies 13-5 down the stretch.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2026.
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