v.
- (of something soft or elastic) be made or be able to be made longer or wider without tearing or breaking.
▸pull (something) tightly from one point to another or across a space.
- straighten or extend one's body or a part of one's body to its full length.
- last or cause to last longer than expected.
▸(of finances or resources) be sufficient for a particular purpose.
- extend over an area or period of time.
- make demands on.
n.
- an act of stretching.
▸the fact or condition of being stretched.
▸the capacity to stretch or be stretched; elasticity.
- a continuous expanse or period.
▸informal a period of time spent in prison.
▸chiefly N. Amer. a straight part of a racetrack, typically the home straight.
▸Sailing the distance covered on one tack.
-
[usu. as modifier]
informal a motor vehicle or aircraft modified so as to have extended seating or storage capacity.
- informal a difficult or demanding task.
Phrase
- at full stretch
using the maximum amount of one's resources or energy. - at a stretch
- in one continuous period.
- just possible but with difficulty.
- stretch one's legs
go for a short walk, typically after sitting for some time. - stretch a point
allow or do something not usually acceptable.
Derivative
- stretchability n.
- stretchable adj.
- stretchiness n.
- stretchy adj.
Etymology
OE streccan, of W. Gmc origin.