extend
Americanverb (used with object)
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to stretch out; draw out to the full length.
He extended the measuring tape as far as it would go.
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to stretch, draw, or arrange in a given direction, or so as to reach a particular point, as a cord, wall, or line of troops.
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to stretch forth or hold out, as the arm or hand.
to extend one's hand in greeting.
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to place at full length, especially horizontally, as the body or limbs.
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to increase the length or duration of; lengthen; prolong.
to extend a visit.
- Synonyms:
- continue
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to stretch out in various or all directions; expand; spread out in area.
A huge tent was extended over the field.
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to enlarge the scope of, or make more comprehensive, as operations, influence, or meaning.
The European powers extended their authority in Asia.
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to provide as an offer or grant; offer; grant; give.
to extend aid to needy scholars.
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Finance. to postpone (the payment of a debt) beyond the time originally agreed upon.
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to increase the bulk or volume of, especially by adding an inexpensive or plentiful substance.
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Bookkeeping. to transfer (figures) from one column to another.
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Law.
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British. to assess or value.
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to make a seizure or levy upon, as land, by a writ of extent.
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Manège. to bring (a horse) into an extended attitude.
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to exert (oneself ) to an unusual degree.
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Archaic. to exaggerate.
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Obsolete. to take by seizure.
verb (used without object)
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to be or become extended; stretch out in length, duration, or in various or all directions.
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to reach, as to a particular point.
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to increase in length, area, scope, etc.
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Manège. (of a horse) to come into an extended attitude.
verb
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to draw out or be drawn out; stretch
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to last for a certain time
his schooling extended for three years
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(intr) to reach a certain point in time or distance
the land extends five miles
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(intr) to exist or occur
the trees extended throughout the area
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(tr) to increase (a building, etc) in size or area; add to or enlarge
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(tr) to broaden the meaning or scope of
the law was extended
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(tr) to put forth, present, or offer
to extend greetings
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to stretch forth (an arm, etc)
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(tr) to lay out (a body) at full length
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(tr) to strain or exert (a person or animal) to the maximum
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(tr) to prolong (the time originally set) for payment of (a debt or loan), completion of (a task), etc
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(tr) accounting
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to carry forward
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to calculate the amount of (a total, balance, etc)
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(tr) law (formerly in England) to value or assess (land)
Related Words
See lengthen.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of extend
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extenden, from Latin extendere “to stretch out.” See ex- 1, tend 1
Explanation
The verb extend can have several related meanings, including thrust out, continue, broaden, expand, unfold, span, or increase in scope. Extend, as a verb, is used in many ways. You extend (hold out) your hand when you offer to shake. You extend (push forward) a deadline when you add a few days to it. Your belly might extend (broaden) after a holiday dinner. A telescope extends (expands) your range of vision. If the list of definitions for extend were infinite, you could extend (add to) that list forever and ever. But your patience might not extend that far.
Vocabulary lists containing extend
19th Amendment (1920)
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Plans extend beyond the port to include a gas-solar power plant, hotels, and a town across 161 square kilometres -- multiple times larger than the archipelago's capital.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
It added: "In a position of power and influence, a minister's responsibility must extend beyond personal belief or party politics."
From BBC • May 17, 2026
Russell would be the first female trainer to win the Preakness and could extend a potential female trainer Triple Crown bid in an industry long dominated by men.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
It also was allowed to extend the time to call its annual meeting of shareholders to no later than Sept. 30.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
He turns it so she can see the way the workings extend through the entirety of the cage, stretching in all directions.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
