stretching Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun act of expanding by lengthening or widening
   
2. noun exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent
   stretch.
   
3. verb occupy a large, elongated area
   stretch; stretch along.
   
   • The park stretched beneath the train line
4. verb extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body
   stretch; extend.
   
   • Stretch your legs!
   • Extend your right arm above your head
5. verb extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length
   stretch; extend; stretch out; unfold.
   
   • Unfold the newspaper
   • stretch out that piece of cloth
   • extend the TV antenna
6. verb become longer by being stretched and pulled
   stretch.
   
   • The fabric stretches
7. verb make long or longer by pulling and stretching
   stretch; elongate.
   
   • stretch the fabric
8. verb lie down comfortably
   stretch; stretch out.
   
   • To enjoy the picnic, we stretched out on the grass
9. verb pull in opposite directions
   stretch.
   
   • During the Inquisition, the torturers would stretch their victims on a rack
10. verb extend the scope or meaning of; often unduly
    stretch.
    
    • Stretch the limits
    • stretch my patience
    • stretch the imagination
11. verb corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
    load; stretch; dilute; debase; adulterate.
    
    • adulterate liquor
12. verb increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance
    stretch; extend.
    
    • stretch the soup by adding some more cream
    • extend the casserole with a little rice
13. verb extend one's body or limbs
    stretch; stretch out.
    
    • Let's stretch for a minute--we've been sitting here for over 3 hours

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