Vad Ă€r stretch? Vad Ă€r stretch? To lengthen, widen, or distend: stretched the sweater out of shape. To cause to extend from one place to another or across a given space: stretched the banner between two poles. To make taut; tighten: stretched the tarpaulin until it ripped. To reach or put forth; extend: stretched out his hand. To extend (oneself or one's limbs, for example) to full length: stretched her calves before running. To extend (oneself) when lying down: she stretched herself out on the couch. To put to torture on the rack.To wrench or strain (a muscle, for example).To extend or enlarge beyond the usual or proper limits: stretch the meaning of a word. To subject to undue strain: to stretch one's patience. To expand in order to fulfill a larger function: stretch a budget; stretch a paycheck. To increase the quantity of by admixture or dilution: stretch a meal by thinning the stew. To prolong: stretch out an argument. Informal To fell by a blow: stretched his opponent in the first round. To become lengthened, widened, or distended.To extend or reach over a distance or area or in a given direction: "On both sides of us stretched the wet plainâ ( Ernest Hemingway). To lie down at full length: stretched out on the bed. To extend one's muscles or limbs, as after prolonged sitting or on awakening.To extend over a given period of time: "This story stretches over a whole generationâ ( William Golding). The act of stretching or the state of being stretched.The extent or scope to which something can be stretched; elasticity.A continuous or unbroken length, area, or expanse: an empty stretch of highway. A straight section of a racecourse or track, especially the section leading to the finish line.A continuous period of time.Slang A term of imprisonment: served a two-year stretch.