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
That balance tilted heavily down the stretch.
—
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Yet those claims are quite the stretch.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
To be clear, important players get injured down the stretch every year.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The new design will add a cycle track, similar to the one along Gillham Plaza, and angled parking on parts of the road while reducing the number of lanes along the stretch.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Yet those claims are quite the stretch.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
To be clear, important players get injured down the stretch every year.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The new design will add a cycle track, similar to the one along Gillham Plaza, and angled parking on parts of the road while reducing the number of lanes along the stretch.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 2025.
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