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 stretch stretch /ˈstrɛtʃ/

adjective

  1. Easily stretched  ( stretch )
    easily stretched
     Stretch hosiery
    stretch hosiery
  2. Having an elongated seating area  ( stretch )
    having an elongated seating area
     A stretch limousine
    a stretch limousine

noun

  1. () The act of physically reaching or thrusting out  ( reaching , reach , stretch )
    the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
      The yoga instructor encouraged her students to stretch their muscles gently.
    The yoga instructor encouraged her students to stretch their muscles gently.
  2. () A large and unbroken expanse or distance  ( stretch )
    a large and unbroken expanse or distance
     A stretch of highway
    a stretch of highway
     A stretch of clear water
    a stretch of clear water
  3. () Exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent  ( stretching , stretch )
    exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent
     She stretched her arms and legs before and after exercise, feeling her muscles loosen up and become more flexible
    She stretched her arms and legs before and after exercise, feeling her muscles loosen up and become more flexible
  4. () (racing) a straightaway section of a racetrack  ( stretch )
    (racing) a straightaway section of a racetrack
  5. () Extension to or beyond the ordinary limit  ( stretch )
    extension to or beyond the ordinary limit
     Running at full stretch
    running at full stretch
     By no stretch of the imagination
    by no stretch of the imagination
     Beyond any stretch of his understanding
    beyond any stretch of his understanding
  6. The capacity for being stretched  ( stretch , stretchability , stretchiness )
    the capacity for being stretched
  7. An unbroken period of time during which you do something  ( stint , stretch )
    an unbroken period of time during which you do something
     There were stretches of boredom
    there were stretches of boredom
     He did a stretch in the federal penitentiary
    he did a stretch in the federal penitentiary

verb

  1. () Occupy a large, elongated area  ( stretch along , stretch )
    occupy a large, elongated area
     The park stretched beneath the train line
    The park stretched beneath the train line
  2. () Extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body  ( extend , stretch )
    extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body
     Stretch your legs!
    Stretch your legs!
     Extend your right arm above your head
    Extend your right arm above your head
  3. () Become longer by being stretched and pulled  ( stretch )
    become longer by being stretched and pulled
     The fabric stretches
    The fabric stretches
  4. () Extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length  ( extend , unfold , stretch out , stretch )
    extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length
     Unfold the newspaper
    Unfold the newspaper
     Stretch out that piece of cloth
    stretch out that piece of cloth
     Extend the TV antenna
    extend the TV antenna
  5. () Make long or longer by pulling and stretching  ( elongate , stretch )
    make long or longer by pulling and stretching
     Stretch the fabric
    stretch the fabric
  6. () Extend the scope or meaning of; often unduly  ( stretch )
    extend the scope or meaning of; often unduly
     Stretch the limits
    Stretch the limits
     Stretch my patience
    stretch my patience
     Stretch the imagination
    stretch the imagination
  7. () Pull in opposite directions  ( stretch )
    pull in opposite directions
     During the Inquisition, the torturers would stretch their victims on a rack
    During the Inquisition, the torturers would stretch their victims on a rack
  8. () Lie down comfortably  ( stretch , stretch out )
    lie down comfortably
     To enjoy the picnic, we stretched out on the grass
    To enjoy the picnic, we stretched out on the grass
  9. Extend one's body or limbs  ( stretch , stretch out )
    extend one's body or limbs
     Let's stretch for a minute--we've been sitting here for over 3 hours
    Let's stretch for a minute--we've been sitting here for over 3 hours
  10. Increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance  ( extend , stretch )
    increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance
     Stretch the soup by adding some more cream
    stretch the soup by adding some more cream
     Extend the casserole with a little rice
    extend the casserole with a little rice
  11. Corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones  ( adulterate , debase , dilute , load , stretch )
    corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
     Adulterate liquor
    adulterate liquor