stretch

I UK [stretʃ] / US verb
Word forms "stretch":
present tense I/you/we/they stretch he/she/it stretches present participle stretching past tense stretched past participle stretched
***

1) [transitive] to pull something to make it longer or wider

I'll have to get these shoes stretched.

a) [intransitive] to become longer or wider by pulling

Her new knitted dress had stretched.

b) [intransitive] if a material such as cloth stretches, it becomes wider or longer when you pull it, and returns to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it

When you're pregnant it helps to wear fabrics that stretch as you grow.

2) [transitive] to pull something so that it becomes smooth, straight, and tight

a folding chair made of white canvas stretched on a metal frame

The little birds are caught in nets stretched between the trees.

3)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to make your arms, legs, or body as straight as possible so that your muscles become long and tight

I leaned back in the chair and stretched.

This exercise strengthens the lower back and stretches the hamstrings.

b) stretch or stretch out

[transitive] to move an arm or a leg away from your body in order to reach something

He stretched his hand towards her.

4)

a) [intransitive] to continue for a particular distance

stretch into/from/to/for/across:

The empire stretched all the way from Scotland to the Pyrenees.

The beach stretches for miles in each direction.

Old grey houses stretched into the distance.

stretch as far as the eye can see:

The traffic stretched as far as the eye could see.

b) to continue for a particular period of time

stretch to/into/over/beyond/back:

Paul's initial two months' work experience ultimately stretched to five.

Negotiations had now stretched into a twelfth day.

They had an unbeaten record stretching back to 1995.

5) [intransitive, usually in negatives] to have enough money to pay for something

stretch to:

I don't really think my salary will stretch to a designer suit.

6) [transitive] to use all the money, supplies, or time available

At best, police resources are stretched.

stretch something to the limit:

Medical services were stretched to the limit.

7) [transitive] to make someone use all their intelligence or ability, especially in a way that is interesting or enjoyable

I don't think his job really stretches him sufficiently.

8) [transitive] to no longer be reasonable

stretch (someone's) credulity/patience etc:

Foreman's book has a plot that stretches credulity to the utmost.

9) [transitive] to allow something that is usually not allowed because of a special situation

We might be prepared to stretch the rules a little in this instance.

stretch a point (= allow something that is not usually allowed):

Couldn't you stretch a point for a friend?

•

- be stretching something

- stretch your legs

Phrasal verbs:

- stretch out

II UK [stretʃ] / US noun
Word forms "stretch":
singular stretch plural stretches
**

1) [countable] a movement or exercise in which you make a part of your body as straight as possible so that your muscles become long and tight

First, let's do some warm-up stretches.

2) [uncountable] the ability of a material or piece of clothing to become wider or longer when you pull it, and return to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it

a fabric that will keep its stretch indefinitely

3)

a) [countable] a continuous period of time

stretch of:

You can't learn it all in such a short stretch of time.

at a stretch (= continuously):

He'll surf the Internet for anything up to six hours at a stretch.

b) [usually singular] informal a period of time spent in prison

do a stretch (for something):

He's doing a 15-year stretch in Pentonville for armed robbery.

4)

a) [countable] an area of land or water

stretch of:

The village lay across a narrow stretch of water.

a deserted stretch of road

b) [usually singular] the straight last part of the track in a race

the final/finishing/home stretch:

The horses entered the final stretch shoulder to shoulder.

•

not by any/by no stretch of the imagination — used for saying that you think something cannot be true or possible no matter how hard you try to imagine it

It's not a great work of cinema by any stretch of the imagination.

- at full stretch

III UK [stretʃ] / US adjective

stretch cloth or clothing becomes wider or longer when you pull it and returns to its original shape and size when you stop pulling it

stretch fabric/lace/velvet

stretch jeans