stretch
7 ENTRIES FOUND:
stretches;
stretched;
stretching
stretches;
stretched;
stretching
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRETCH
1
a
[+ object]
:
to make (something) wider or longer by pulling it
-
Don't yank on my sweater. You'll stretch it.
-
I'm trying to stretch (out) the wool hat that shrank in the wash.
-
Carefully stretch the dough.
b
[no object]
:
to become longer or wider when pulled
-
The elastic waistband of my pants won't stretch any more.
-
jeans/pants that stretch
-
The material/fabric stretches.
2
a
:
to put your arms, legs, etc., in positions that make the muscles long and tight
[no object]
-
It's important to stretch before you exercise.
-
The baby stretched and yawned.
[+ object]
-
She woke up and stretched her arms above her head.
-
These exercises stretch (the muscles of) your lower back.
b
always followed by an adverb or preposition
:
to extend your arm, leg, etc., in order to reach something
— often + out
— often + out
[no object]
-
She stretched over us to open the window.
-
Her hand stretched out toward him. [=she reached toward him with her hand]
[+ object]
-
She stretched her hand toward him.
-
She stretched out her hand.
3
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to pull (something) so that it becomes flat and smooth and goes across a surface or area
-
She stretched the canvas over the wooden frame.
-
The T-shirt was stretched tight over his belly.
-
A big banner was stretched across the doorway.
4
always followed by an adverb or preposition
[no object]
a
:
to continue for a specified distance
:
to extend over an area
— used to describe how long something is
-
The cornfields stretch as far as the eye can see.
-
The restaurant chain began in Chicago but now stretches to the West Coast.
-
The horse's tail stretches three and a half feet from base to end.
b
:
to continue over a period of time
-
Her interest in art stretches back to her childhood. [=she has been interested in art since she was a child]
-
Construction that began in late April stretched [=continued] into June.
5
[+ object]
:
to say something that is not exactly true
-
He was stretching the truth [=exaggerating] to make the story more interesting.
-
Although it may be stretching a point [=exaggerating slightly] to say that this was his best win ever, it was nevertheless impressive.
-
(informal) She's a good musician but comparing her to the legends is stretching it. [=she's good but she can't really be compared to the legends]
-
(informal) It's stretching things to say that she enjoys his visits. [=she doesn't really enjoy his visits]
6
[+ object]
a
:
to cause or force (something) to be used for a longer time or for more purposes than originally planned or expected
— often + out
-
They were forced to stretch their food supplies.
-
The unexpected expenses have stretched their budget to the breaking point.
-
The country is stretching its military forces to the limit.
-
They were forced to stretch out their food supplies for another week.
b
:
to cause (something, such as a rule) to have a meaning or purpose that is different from what was originally intended
-
He is clearly stretching the rules in his favor. [=he is doing something that is not really allowed by the rules]
-
The clause was stretched beyond its original meaning.
c
— used figuratively in various phrases
-
Her bad behavior is stretching my patience (to the limit). [=is causing me to lose patience]
-
His explanation stretches credulity. [=is hard to believe]
7
[+ object]
:
to require (someone) to use a lot of effort, ability, skill, etc., in order to succeed
-
The work doesn't stretch me intellectually. [=the work is too easy for me; the work is not intellectually challenging]
stretch out
[phrasal verb]
stretch out
or
stretch (yourself) out
:
to extend your body in a flat position
:
to spread out in a relaxed position
— often used as (be) stretched out
—
see also 1stretch 2b, 6a (above)
-
She stretched out on the bed.
-
He stretched himself out on the couch.
-
He was (lying) stretched out on the couch.
stretch your legs
informal
:
to stand up and walk especially after sitting for a long period of time
-
a stretchable fabric
2
stretch
/ˈstrɛtʃ/
noun
plural
stretches
2
stretch
/ˈstrɛtʃ/
noun
plural
stretches
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRETCH
1
[count]
:
a continuous area or length of land or water
-
a 60-mile stretch of beach
-
an open stretch of highway/road
2
[count]
a
:
a continuous period of time
-
We sat silently for a long/short/brief stretch (of time).
-
She can sit and read for hours at a stretch. [=at one time without stopping]
b
informal
:
a period of time spent in prison
— usually singular
-
He just got out of prison after a six-year stretch.
3
:
an act of stretching your body or part of your body
[count]
-
These are good stretches for your leg muscles.
-
I always spend a few minutes doing stretches before I exercise.
[noncount]
-
I can feel the stretch in the back of my legs.
4
the stretch
:
the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line
— often used figuratively
—
see also homestretch
-
the horses are in the (final) stretch
-
They won some crucial games down the stretch. [=in the last part of the season]
-
She's in the final stretch. The baby's due next month.
5
[noncount]
:
the ability to be stretched without breaking or being torn
-
material with a lot of stretch
6
[singular]
chiefly US
a
:
something that requires a special effort to be done
:
something that is beyond a person's usual abilities
-
Portraying a famous actress was not much of a stretch [=challenge] for the popular movie star.
b
:
a statement, description, etc., that is not strictly true or accurate
-
Some people think it's a stretch to call fishing a sport.
at full stretch
British, informal
:
with as much effort as possible
-
The medical team worked at full stretch.
by any/no stretch of the imagination
— used to emphasize that something is not true, does not happen, etc.
-
They're not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. [=they're not wealthy at all]
-
By no stretch of the imagination does the factory operate efficiently. [=the factory does not operate at all efficiently]
the seventh-inning stretch
baseball
:
the time between the two halves of the seventh inning when the people watching a game traditionally stand up and stretch their legs
3
stretch
/ˈstrɛtʃ/
adjective
3
stretch
/ˈstrɛtʃ/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRETCH
always used before a noun
:
made to stretch easily and then return to the original shape and size
-
stretch socks/pants
