the stretch

noun

: the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line

the horses are in the (final) stretch

—often used figuratively

She'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

At least six fatal crashes resulting in nine deaths, along with multiple multi-injury collisions, have occurred on the stretch between Downtown and Gregory Boulevard over the last three years, according to media and local police reports. — Mará Rose Williams november 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2026

The emphasis was just coming out there and executing especially down the stretch with the last 10 minutes. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2026

Ohtani never did return to the mound, and his offense suffered as injuries mounted down the stretch. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026

Richmond, the team’s only returner from last year, scored seven points in the stretch and 15 of his game-high 21 in the first half. — ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026

Rhymes for the stretch

• etch
• fetch
• fletch
• ketch
• sketch
• vetch
• wretch