Definition of stretch

• v. t. - To reach out; to extend; to put forth.
• v. t. - To draw out to the full length; to cause to extend in a straight line; as, to stretch a cord or rope.
• v. t. - To cause to extend in breadth; to spread; to expand; as, to stretch cloth; to stretch the wings.
• v. t. - To make tense; to tighten; to distend forcibly.
• v. t. - To draw or pull out to greater length; to strain; as, to stretch a tendon or muscle.
• v. t. - To exaggerate; to extend too far; as, to stretch the truth; to stretch one's credit.
• v. i. - To be extended; to be drawn out in length or in breadth, or both; to spread; to reach; as, the iron road stretches across the continent; the lake stretches over fifty square miles.
• v. i. - To extend or spread one's self, or one's limbs; as, the lazy man yawns and stretches.
• v. i. - To be extended, or to bear extension, without breaking, as elastic or ductile substances.
• v. i. - To strain the truth; to exaggerate; as, a man apt to stretch in his report of facts.
• v. i. - To sail by the wind under press of canvas; as, the ship stretched to the eastward.
• n. - Act of stretching, or state of being stretched; reach; effort; struggle; strain; as, a stretch of the limbs; a stretch of the imagination.
• n. - A continuous line or surface; a continuous space of time; as, grassy stretches of land.
• n. - The extent to which anything may be stretched.
• n. - The reach or extent of a vessel's progress on one tack; a tack or board.
• n. - Course; direction; as, the stretch of seams of coal.