Stretch | Mean of stretch in English Dictionary

/ˈstrɛtʃ/

• Verb
• to make (something) wider or longer by pulling it
1. Don't yank on my sweater. You'll stretch it.
2. I'm trying to stretch (out) the wool hat that shrank in the wash.
3. Carefully stretch the dough.
• to become longer or wider when pulled
1. The elastic waistband of my pants won't stretch any more.
2. jeans/pants that stretch
3. The material/fabric stretches.
• to put your arms, legs, etc., in positions that make the muscles long and tight
1. It's important to stretch before you exercise.
2. The baby stretched and yawned.
3. She woke up and stretched her arms above her head.
4. These exercises stretch (the muscles of) your lower back.

• to extend your arm, leg, etc., in order to reach something
1. She stretched over us to open the window.
2. Her hand stretched out toward him. [=she reached toward him with her hand]
3. She stretched her hand toward him.
4. She stretched out her hand.
• to pull (something) so that it becomes flat and smooth and goes across a surface or area
1. She stretched the canvas over the wooden frame.
2. The T-shirt was stretched tight over his belly.
3. A big banner was stretched across the doorway.
• to continue for a specified distance
1. The cornfields stretch as far as the eye can see.
2. The restaurant chain began in Chicago but now stretches to the West Coast.
3. The horse's tail stretches three and a half feet from base to end.
• to continue over a period of time
1. Her interest in art stretches back to her childhood. [=she has been interested in art since she was a child]
2. Construction that began in late April stretched [=continued] into June.
• to say something that is not exactly true
1. He was stretching the truth [=exaggerating] to make the story more interesting.
2. Although it may be stretching a point [=exaggerating slightly] to say that this was his best win ever, it was nevertheless impressive.
3. (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]
4. (informal) It's stretching things to say that she enjoys his visits. [=she doesn't really enjoy his visits]
• to cause or force (something) to be used for a longer time or for more purposes than originally planned or expected
1. They were forced to stretch their food supplies.
2. The unexpected expenses have stretched their budget to the breaking point.
3. The country is stretching its military forces to the limit.
4. They were forced to stretch out their food supplies for another week.
• to cause (something, such as a rule) to have a meaning or purpose that is different from what was originally intended
1. He is clearly stretching the rules in his favor. [=he is doing something that is not really allowed by the rules]
2. The clause was stretched beyond its original meaning.
• to require (someone) to use a lot of effort, ability, skill, etc., in order to succeed
1. The work doesn't stretch me intellectually. [=the work is too easy for me; the work is not intellectually challenging]
• to extend your body in a flat position
1. She stretched out on the bed.
2. He stretched himself out on the couch.
3. He was (lying) stretched out on the couch.
• to stand up and walk especially after sitting for a long period of time
• Noun
• a continuous area or length of land or water
1. a 60-mile stretch of beach
2. an open stretch of highway/road
• a continuous period of time
1. We sat silently for a long/short/brief stretch (of time).
2. She can sit and read for hours at a stretch. [=at one time without stopping]
• a period of time spent in prison
1. He just got out of prison after a six-year stretch.
• an act of stretching your body or part of your body
1. These are good stretches for your leg muscles.
2. I always spend a few minutes doing stretches before I exercise.
3. I can feel the stretch in the back of my legs.
• the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line
1. the horses are in the (final) stretch
2. They won some crucial games down the stretch. [=in the last part of the season]
3. She's in the final stretch. The baby's due next month.
• the ability to be stretched without breaking or being torn
1. material with a lot of stretch
• something that requires a special effort to be done
1. Portraying a famous actress was not much of a stretch [=challenge] for the popular movie star.
• a statement, description, etc., that is not strictly true or accurate
1. Some people think it's a stretch to call fishing a sport.
• with as much effort as possible
1. The medical team worked at full stretch.
• the time between the two halves of the seventh inning when the people watching a game traditionally stand up and stretch their legs
• made to stretch easily and then return to the original shape and size
1. stretch socks/pants