—stretch /stretʃ/
noun (PART)
C1 [C usually singular] a continuous area of land or water:
» This particular stretch of coast is especially popular with walkers.» Traffic is at a standstill along a five-mile stretch of the M11 just south of Cambridge.» Some very rare birds inhabit our stretch of the river.Thesaurus+: ↑Areas of land in general , ↑Space - general wordsThesaurus+: ↑Inland watersF0 [C usually singular] a stage in a race, or a part of a racetrack:
» She looked certain to win as she entered the final stretch.» He fell as he galloped down the home stretch (= towards the finish).Thesaurus+: ↑Surfaces on which sports take place• • •
Extra Examples:» There has been a collision on the southbound stretch of the motorway.» This stretch of land was once covered with luxuriant forest, but is now bare.» This stretch of water is heavily used by shipping.» There have been many shipwrecks along this dangerous stretch of coastline.» The car was dumped in a stretch of wasteland in the south of the city.noun (TIME)
F0 [C usually singular] a continuous period of time:
» The elderly generally need far less rest than the young, and tend to sleep in several short stretches.Thesaurus+: ↑Periods of time - general wordsF0 [C usually singular] INFORMAL a period of time that a criminal spends in prison:
» Her brother's doing a ten-year stretch for armed robbery.Thesaurus+: ↑Putting people in prisonat a stretch MAINLY UKF0 continuously or without any interruptions:
» There's no way I could work for ten hours at a stretch.Thesaurus+: ↑Continuous and permanentnoun [C usually singular] (ACTOR)
► F0 the fact that an actor finds it difficult to play a character who is very different from their own personality: » Playing a budding opera star was not much of a stretch for this classically trained singer.Thesaurus+: ↑Acting, rehearsing and performingnoun [C usually singular] (GO PAST)
► F0 the fact that something has gone past its usual limits: » His thesis may be a stretch, but it's not outside the realm of possibility.Thesaurus+: ↑Range and limitsnoun [C usually singular] (REACH)
► F0 an act of stretching: » I always have a good stretch when I get up in the morning.Thesaurus+: ↑Stretching the bodynoun [U] (MAKE LONGER)
► F0 the degree to which a material can be made longer or wider by pulling: » This fabric doesn't have much stretch in it, does it?Thesaurus+: ↑Flexible, loose and yieldingverb (LONG TIME) ↑Verb Endings for stretch
F0 [I usually + adv/prep] to spread over a long period of time:
» The dispute stretches back over many years.» Although we were supposed to finish this month, it looks like the work will stretch well into next year.Thesaurus+: ↑Continue and lastF0 [T] (ALSO stretch out) to make a process or task continue for a longer period of time than was originally planned:
» I'd like to stretch my mortgage payments out over a longer period if possible.Thesaurus+: ↑Continue and lastverb (MAKE LONGER) ↑Verb Endings for stretch
B2 [I or T] to (cause a material to) become longer or wider than usual as a result of pulling at the edges:
» an exercise to stretch the leg muscles» That elastic band will snap if you stretch it too far.» This substance stretches to any shape you want.Thesaurus+: ↑Enlarging and inflating , ↑Becoming biggerThesaurus+: ↑Becoming bigger , ↑Enlarging and inflatingB2 [I] If a material stretches, it can become longer or wider when pulled and then return to its original size:
» to stretch fabricsThesaurus+: ↑Becoming bigger , ↑Enlarging and inflatingverb (REACH) ↑Verb Endings for stretch
B2 [T usually + adv/prep] to cause something to reach, often as far as possible, in a particular direction:
» I tripped on a piece of wire that someone had stretched across the path.» She stretched out her hand and helped him from his chair.Thesaurus+: ↑Arriving, entering and invadingThesaurus+: ↑Stretching the bodyB2 [I] to make your body or your arms and legs straight so that they are as long as possible, in order to exercise the joints (= place where two bones are connected) after you have been in the same place or position for a long time:
» "I'm so tired," she said, yawning and stretching.» It's a good idea to stretch before you take vigorous exercise.See picture: stretch up to the ceiling 
Thesaurus+: ↑Stretching the body
• • •
Extra Examples:» The plastic cover was stretched tight across the tank.» I stretched out and listened to the sound of the rushing stream.» The cat was stretching in front of the fire.» Yoga is a great way to stretch your body.» I get up and walk around every half hour just to stretch my legs.verb [I usually + adv/prep] (SPREAD) ↑Verb Endings for stretch
► C2 to spread over a large area or distance: » A huge cloud of dense smoke stretched across the horizon.» The Andes stretch for 7,250 km along the west coast of South America.» Unsettled weather will stretch from the middle Mississippi Valley to the southern Middle Atlantic States.» The refugee camps stretch as far as the eye can see.Thesaurus+: ↑Spreading and scattering• • •
Extra Examples:» The road stretched into the distance as far as the eye could see.» The mountain range stretched away into infinity.» A broad sweep of flat countryside stretched to the horizon in all directions.» On the eastern horizon, a huge cloud of smoke from burning oil tanks stretched across the sky.» A ribbon of road stretched ahead of us across the desert.verb [T] (DO MORE) ↑Verb Endings for stretch
► F0 If jobs or tasks stretch you, they make you learn new things that use your skill and experience more than you have done before: » My present job doesn't stretch me, so I'm looking for something more demanding.Thesaurus+: ↑Making people excited and interested , ↑Inspiration and inspiringverb [T] (GO PAST) ↑Verb Endings for stretch
► F0 to go as far as or past the usual limit of something: » Many families' budgets are already stretched to breaking point.» We can't work any harder, Paul. We're already fully stretched.» This movie really stretches the patience of the audience to the limit.» We don't normally allow in people under 18, but I suppose we could stretch the rules for you as it's your birthday tomorrow.Thesaurus+: ↑Trying and making an effort , ↑Effort and expending energy