To stretch something means to make it longer or wider in shape, like when you stretch a rubber band until it's flat. It can also mean to move your body to its limits, so that you feel long and flexible.
When we talk about stretching, usually what comes to mind is exercising. We might say "I'm going for a run" or "Let's do some yoga together", which implies that our goal is to stretch our muscles and get them ready for action. But it's not just about moving your body; when you're planning something, like a house extension, you'll also be thinking about stretching the space out so that it's bigger and more comfortable.
People often talk about stretching their time too - if you have an important deadline to meet, you might need to stretch your working hours or work extra hard to get everything done. In this sense, stretching means making something last longer than usual, rather than changing its shape.
How common is "stretch"?
Word stretch is considered common in modern English. It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
An act of stretching.
Example: I was right in the middle of a stretch when the phone rang.
The ability to lengthen when pulled.
Example: That rubber band has quite a bit of stretch.
A course of thought which diverts from straightforward logic, or requires extraordinary belief or exaggeration.
Example: It's a bit of a stretch to call Boris Karloff a comedian.
A segment of a journey or route.
Example: It was an easy trip except for the last stretch, which took forever.
A segment or length of material.
Example: a stretch of cloth
A quick pitching delivery used when runners are on base where the pitcher slides his leg instead of lifting it.
A long reach in the direction of the ball with a foot remaining on the base by a first baseman in order to catch the ball sooner.
Term of address for a tall person.
The homestretch, the final straight section of the track leading to the finish.
A length of time.
A stretch limousine.
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verb
To lengthen by pulling.
Example: I stretched the rubber band until it almost broke.
To lengthen when pulled.
Example: The rubber band stretched almost to the breaking point.
To pull tight.
Example: First, stretch the skin over the frame of the drum.
To get more use than expected from a limited resource.
Example: I managed to stretch my coffee supply a few more days.
To make inaccurate by exaggeration.
Example: To say crossing the street was brave is stretching the meaning of "brave" considerably.
To extend physically, especially from limit point to limit point.
Example: The beach stretches from Cresswell to Amble.
To extend one’s limbs or another part of the body in order to improve the elasticity of one's muscles
Example: Cats stretch with equal ease and agility beyond the point that breaks a man on the rack.
To extend to a limit point
Example: His mustache stretched all the way to his sideburns.
To increase.
To stretch the truth; to exaggerate.
Example: a man apt to stretch in his report of facts
To sail by the wind under press of canvas.
Example: The ship stretched to the eastward.
To execute by hanging.
To make great demands on the capacity or resources of something.
