Synonyms

extend

American

[ik-stend] / ɪkˈstɛnd /

verb (used with object)

to stretch out; draw out to the full length.

He extended the measuring tape as far as it would go.

Antonyms:

contract, shorten
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.
to stretch forth or hold out, as the arm or hand.

to extend one's hand in greeting.
to place at full length, especially horizontally, as the body or limbs.
to increase the length or duration of; lengthen; prolong.

to extend a visit.

Synonyms:

continue
to stretch out in various or all directions; expand; spread out in area.

A huge tent was extended over the field.

Synonyms:

dilate, widen, enlarge
to enlarge the scope of, or make more comprehensive, as operations, influence, or meaning.

The European powers extended their authority in Asia.
to provide as an offer or grant; offer; grant; give.

to extend aid to needy scholars.

Synonyms:

impart, bestow
Finance. to postpone (the payment of a debt) beyond the time originally agreed upon.
to increase the bulk or volume of, especially by adding an inexpensive or plentiful substance.
Bookkeeping. to transfer (figures) from one column to another.
Law.
1. British. to assess or value.
2. to make a seizure or levy upon, as land, by a writ of extent.
Manège. to bring (a horse) into an extended attitude.
to exert (oneself ) to an unusual degree.
Archaic. to exaggerate.
Obsolete. to take by seizure.

verb (used without object)

to be or become extended; stretch out in length, duration, or in various or all directions.
to reach, as to a particular point.
to increase in length, area, scope, etc.
Manège. (of a horse) to come into an extended attitude.

extend British

/ ɪkˈstɛnd /

verb

to draw out or be drawn out; stretch
to last for a certain time

his schooling extended for three years
(intr) to reach a certain point in time or distance

the land extends five miles
(intr) to exist or occur

the trees extended throughout the area
(tr) to increase (a building, etc) in size or area; add to or enlarge
(tr) to broaden the meaning or scope of

the law was extended
(tr) to put forth, present, or offer

to extend greetings
to stretch forth (an arm, etc)
(tr) to lay out (a body) at full length
(tr) to strain or exert (a person or animal) to the maximum
(tr) to prolong (the time originally set) for payment of (a debt or loan), completion of (a task), etc
(tr) accounting
1. to carry forward
2. to calculate the amount of (a total, balance, etc)
(tr) law (formerly in England) to value or assess (land)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See lengthen.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

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.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing extend

19th Amendment (1920)

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Beowulf vocabulary

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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.

See Examples For:

extend extends extended extending

The first option would simply extend both contributions and benefits to infinity, which could mean people with high incomes could end up receiving a lot of money in retirement benefits.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

A ministerial order from Wednesday appeared in the official state gazette announcing the authorisation to extend Almaraz's operations until June 8, 2030.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

A major long-term goal is to extend the approach to people.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026

Another change coming to Bumble will extend the time-limit users have to initiate a conversation after matching.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

For the chief virtue of a gradual approach was to extend the cost of compensation over several decades so that the full bill never landed at one time or even on one generation.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

The new version extends this capacity to respiratory problems if someone isn't getting enough oxygen.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

Moreno has shown no public interest in a third negotiation with the city, and the Angels’ current stadium lease extends through 2032, with the team having options to extend the lease through 2038.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

The pullback extends to PIK, which has become an essential feature for borrowers in need of a reprieve from payments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

On average, the cusp is shifted well into the afternoon, typically between 13:00 and 15:00 local time, and in some cases it extends toward 20:00 local time.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026

She smiles and extends a hand for me to join her on the cold, wet sand.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

It will be an extended international interval across the end of September and start of October to cut the number of breaks during the club season.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

They found that $21 billion in loans they made should have been recorded as extended to “related parties.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the Lincoln would be brought home soon, while defending its extended time at sea as necessary.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

The Colosseum has extended opening hours at night this summer to allow more visitors to see the famous Roman amphitheatre in cooler temperatures after sunset.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Above her, the water wall extended to twice her height.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Jane Swanson, a board member of Mothers for Peace, waits to speak during public comment following a hearing for extending the operation of Diablo on July 30.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

The bone has short projections extending outward that resemble horns, and it lacks a ventral median groove.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026

Online ticket marketplace StubHub was among the laggards, extending the total share-price loss since its IPO last year to 65%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

It is a vast halo of superheated plasma extending millions of miles into space.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

She’s even talking about extending the paper chain another five million links in memory of the victims of the Holocaust who weren’t Jewish.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023