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

Donnell Thompson, 60 Barber in Miami Gardens Donnell Thompson remembers when Miami Gardens was referred to as Carol City and when the stretch of 27th Avenue outside his barbershop was just two lanes running north and south. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Cooks landed with the Buffalo Bills for the stretch run last season and had some promising moments. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 24 July 2026

With the trade deadline looming at the beginning of next month, the Chicago Cubs made a significant move that seems designed to protect their outfield depth for the stretch run. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Paired with regular track inspections, the stretch of rail beneath Newtown Creek is safe to use, officials said. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

Rhymes for the stretch

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