- 1[countable] stretch (of something) an area of land or water, especially a long one an unspoiled stretch of coastline a particularly dangerous stretch of road You rarely see boats on this stretch of the river.
period of time - 2[countable] a continuous period of time synonym spell They worked in four-hour stretches. She used to read for hours at a stretch (= without stopping).
- 3[countable, usually singular] (informal) a period of time that someone spends in prison He did a ten-year stretch for fraud. challenge
- 4[singular] something that requires great effort to do, imagine, or believe It's not much of a stretch to think this team can win seven games. of body
- 5[countable, uncountable] an act of stretching out your arms or legs or your body and contracting the muscles; the state of being stretched We got out of the car and had a good stretch. Only do these more difficult stretches when you are warmed up. Stay in this position and feel the stretch in your legs. of fabric
- 6[uncountable] the ability to be made longer or wider without breaking or tearing You need a material with plenty of stretch in it. stretch jeans on racetrack
- 7[countable, usually singular] a straight part at the end of a racing track synonym straight the final/home stretch (figurative) The campaign has entered its final stretch. Idioms
area of land/water
used to say strongly that something is not true, even if you try to imagine or believe it She could not, by any stretch of the imagination, be called beautiful. By no stretch of the imagination could the trip be described as relaxing.
Check pronunciation: stretch