stretch definition

1. a large and unbroken expanse or distance
• examples: a stretch of highway
• examples: a stretch of clear water
2. a straightaway section of a racetrack
3. exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent
4. extension to or beyond the ordinary limit
• examples: running at full stretch
• examples: by no stretch of the imagination
• examples: beyond any stretch of his understanding
5. an unbroken period of time during which you do something
• examples: there were stretches of boredom
• examples: he did a stretch in the federal penitentiary
6. the capacity for being stretched
7. occupy a large, elongated area
• examples: The park stretched beneath the train line
8. extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body
• examples: Stretch your legs!
• examples: Extend your right arm above your head
9. become longer by being stretched and pulled
• examples: The fabric stretches
10. lie down comfortably
• examples: To enjoy the picnic, we stretched out on the grass
11. pull in opposite directions
• examples: During the Inquisition, the torturers would stretch their victims on a rack
12. extend the scope or meaning of; often unduly
• examples: Stretch the limits
• examples: stretch my patience
• examples: stretch the imagination
13. extend one's body or limbs
• examples: Let's stretch for a minute--we've been sitting here for over 3 hours
14. having an elongated seating area
• examples: a stretch limousine
15. easily stretched
• examples: stretch hosiery