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