extend Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb extend in scope or range or area
    broaden; widen.
    • The law was extended to all citizens
    • widen the range of applications
    • broaden your horizon
    • Extend your backyard
  2. verb stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
    go; run; lead; pass.
    • Service runs all the way to Cranbury
    • His knowledge doesn't go very far
    • My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
    • The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
  3. verb span an interval of distance, space or time
    continue; cover.
    • The war extended over five years
    • The period covered the turn of the century
    • My land extends over the hills on the horizon
    • This farm covers some 200 acres
    • The Archipelago continues for another 500 miles
  4. verb make available; provide
    offer.
    • extend a loan
    • The bank offers a good deal on new mortgages
  5. verb thrust or extend out
    stretch out; exsert; stretch forth; hold out; put out.
    • He held out his hand
    • point a finger
    • extend a hand
    • the bee exserted its sting
  6. verb reach outward in space
    reach out; poke out.
    • The awning extends several feet over the sidewalk
  7. verb offer verbally
    offer.
    • extend my greetings
    • He offered his sympathy
  8. verb extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body
    stretch.
    • Stretch your legs!
    • Extend your right arm above your head
  9. verb expand the influence of
    expand.
    • The King extended his rule to the Eastern part of the continent
  10. verb lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
    prolong; protract; draw out.
    • We prolonged our stay
    • She extended her visit by another day
    • The meeting was drawn out until midnight
  11. verb extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length
    stretch; stretch out; unfold.
    • Unfold the newspaper
    • stretch out that piece of cloth
    • extend the TV antenna
  12. verb cause to move at full gallop
    gallop.
    • Did you gallop the horse just now?
  13. verb open or straighten out; unbend
    • Can we extend the legs of this dining table?
  14. verb use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
    strain.
    • He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
    • Don't strain your mind too much
  15. verb prolong the time allowed for payment of
    • extend the loan
  16. verb continue or extend
    carry.
    • The civil war carried into the neighboring province
    • The disease extended into the remote mountain provinces
  17. verb increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance
    stretch.
    • stretch the soup by adding some more cream
    • extend the casserole with a little rice

WordNet

Ex*tend" transitive verb
Etymology
L. extendere, extentum, extensum; ex out + tendere to stretch. See Trend.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Extended; present participle & verbal noun Extending
Definitions
  1. To stretch out; to prolong in space; to carry forward or continue in length; as, to extend a line in surveying; to extend a cord across the street.
    Few extend their thoughts toward universal knowledge'. Locke.
  2. To enlarge, as a surface or volume; to expand; to spread; to amplify; as, to extend metal plates by hammering or rolling them.
  3. To enlarge; to widen; to carry out further; as, to extend the capacities, the sphere of usefulness, or commerce; to extend power or influence; to continue, as time; to lengthen; to prolong; as, to extend the time of payment or a season of trail.
  4. To hold out or reach forth, as the arm or hand.
    His helpless hand extend. Dryden.
  5. To bestow; to offer; to impart; to apply; as, to extend sympathy to the suffering.
  6. To increase in quantity by weakening or adulterating additions; as, to extend liquors. G. P. Burnham.
  7. (Eng. Law) To value, as lands taken by a writ of extent in satisfaction of a debt; to assign by writ of extent. ✍ This is extended type. Syn. -- To increase; enlarge; expand; widen; diffuse. See Increase.

Webster 1913