- 1[transitive] extend something to make something longer or larger to extend a fence/road There are plans to extend the subway line.
- 2[transitive] extend something to make something last longer to extend a deadline/visa The show has been extended for another six weeks. Careful maintenance can extend the life of your car.
- 3[transitive] extend something to make a business, an idea, an influence, etc. cover more areas or operate in more places The company plans to extend its operations into Europe. The school is extending the range of subjects taught. include
- 4[intransitive] + adv./prep. to relate to or include someone or something The offer does not extend to employees' partners. His willingness to help did not extend beyond making a few phone calls. cover area/time/distance
- 5[intransitive] + adv./prep. to cover a particular area, distance, or length of time Our land extends as far as the river. His writing career extended over a period of 40 years.
- 6[transitive] extend something + adv./prep. to make something reach something or stretch to extend a rope between two posts part of body
- 7[transitive] extend something to stretch part of your body, especially an arm or a leg, away from yourself He extended his hand to (= offered to shake hands with) the new employee. (figurative) to extend the hand of friendship to (= try to have good relations with) another country
- 8[transitive] (formal) to offer or give something to someone extend something to somebody I'm sure you will join me in extending a very warm welcome to our visitors. to extend hospitality to overseas students The bank refused to extend credit to them (= to lend them money). extend somebody something to extend someone an invitation use effort/ability
- 9[transitive, often passive] extend somebody/something/yourself to make someone or something use all their effort, abilities, supplies, etc. Jim didn't really have to extend himself on the exam. Hospitals were already fully extended because of the epidemic. see extension, extensive
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NAmE//ɪkˈstɛnd//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they extend he / she / it extends
past simple extended
-ing form extending
Check pronunciation: extend