1 a [+ obj] : to make (something) wider or longer by pulling it
▪ Don't yank on my sweater. You'll stretch it. ▪ I'm trying to stretch (out) the wool hat that shrank in the wash. ▪ Carefully stretch the dough.
b [no obj] : to become longer or wider when pulled
▪ The elastic waistband of my pants won't stretch any more. ▪ jeans/pants that stretch ▪ The material/fabric stretches. 2 a : to put your arms, legs, etc., in positions that make the muscles long and tight [no obj] ▪ It's important to stretch before you exercise. ▪ The baby stretched and yawned. [+ obj] ▪ She woke up and stretched her arms above her head. ▪ These exercises stretch (the muscles of) your lower back.
b always followed by an adverb or preposition : to extend your arm, leg, etc., in order to reach something [no obj] ▪ She stretched over us to open the window. — often + out ▪ Her hand stretched out toward him. [=she reached toward him with her hand] [+ obj] ▪ She stretched her hand toward him. — often + out ▪ She stretched out her hand. 3 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to pull (something) so that it becomes flat and smooth and goes across a surface or area
▪ She stretched the canvas over the wooden frame. ▪ The T-shirt was stretched tight over his belly. ▪ A big banner was stretched across the doorway. 4 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] a : to continue for a specified distance : to extend over an area
▪ The cornfields stretch as far as the eye can see. ▪ The restaurant chain began in Chicago but now stretches to the West Coast. — used to describe how long something is ▪ The horse's tail stretches three and a half feet from base to end.
b : to continue over a period of time
▪ Her interest in art stretches back to her childhood. [=she has been interested in art since she was a child] ▪ Construction that began in late April stretched [=continued] into June. 5 [+ obj] : to say something that is not exactly true
▪ He was stretching the truth [=exaggerating] to make the story more interesting. ▪ Although it may be stretching a point [=exaggerating slightly] to say that this was his best win ever, it was nevertheless impressive. ▪ (informal) She's a good musician but comparing her to the legends is stretching it. [=she's good but she can't really be compared to the legends] ▪ (informal) It's stretching things to say that she enjoys his visits. [=she doesn't really enjoy his visits] 6 [+ obj] a : to cause or force (something) to be used for a longer time or for more purposes than originally planned or expected
▪ They were forced to stretch their food supplies. ▪ The unexpected expenses have stretched their budget to the breaking point. ▪ The country is stretching its military forces to the limit. — often + out ▪ They were forced to stretch out their food supplies for another week.
b : to cause (something, such as a rule) to have a meaning or purpose that is different from what was originally intended
▪ He is clearly stretching the rules in his favor. [=he is doing something that is not really allowed by the rules] ▪ The clause was stretched beyond its original meaning.
c — used figuratively in various phrases ▪ Her bad behavior is stretching my patience (to the limit). [=is causing me to lose patience] ▪ His explanation stretches credulity. [=is hard to believe] 7 [+ obj] : to require (someone) to use a lot of effort, ability, skill, etc., in order to succeed
▪ The work doesn't stretch me intellectually. [=the work is too easy for me; the work is not intellectually challenging]