extend

[ik-stend]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR extend ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to stretch out; draw out to the full length: He extended the measuring tape as far as it would go.

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.

to stretch out in various or all directions; expand; spread out in area: A huge tent was extended over the field.

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.

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.

British.to assess or value.
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.

Origin of extend

1250–1300; Middle English extenden < Latin extendere to stretch out. See ex-¹, tend¹

Related formsex·tend·i·ble, ex·tend·a·ble, adjectiveex·tend·i·bil·i·ty, ex·tend·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·ex·tend·i·ble, adjectivenon·ex·tend·i·ble·ness, nounpre·ex·tend, verbsu·per·ex·tend, verbun·ex·tend·a·ble, adjectiveun·ex·tend·i·ble, adjective

Synonyms for extend

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR extend ON THESAURUS.COM

5. continue. See lengthen. 6. enlarge; widen, dilate. 8. bestow, impart.

Antonyms for extend

1. shorten, contract.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for extend

prolong, last, widen, stretch, boost, broaden, develop, lengthen, enlarge, increase, spread, continue, take, enhance, open, expand, advance, give, grant, allocate

Examples from the Web for extend

Contemporary Examples of extend

At some point, show creator Mark Burnett made the diabolical decision to extend the show to 120 minutes.
Donald Trump Fires Woman For Not Calling Bill Cosby
Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video
January 5, 2015
We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of those on board QZ8501.
Wreckage, Bodies of AirAsia Crash Found
Lennox Samuels
December 30, 2014
In order to extend their legal residence in the United States, they had to obtain other visas.
ISIS, Boko Haram, and the Growing Role of Human Trafficking in 21st Century Terrorism
Louise I. Shelley
December 26, 2014
But would they be willing to extend their welcome to series that are streamed outside of Netflix?
15 Enraging Golden Globe TV Snubs and Surprises: Amy Poehler, 'Mad Men' & More
Kevin Fallon
December 11, 2014
Valerie isn't going anywhere, and her work will extend through those she has cultivated and inspired.
The Valerie Jarrett I Know: How She Saved the Obama Campaign and Why She’s Indispensable
Joshua DuBois
November 18, 2014

Historical Examples of extend

We have asked for no privileges we would not extend to others.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
Russia sought to extend her conquests south and to seize upon Turkey.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
Nor did her hips want the assistance of a hoop to extend them.
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1
Henry Fielding
And did Bernadette ever extend the pilgrimage of her dreams as far as Bartres?
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
The road, straight as an arrow, seemed to extend into the infinite.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for extend

extend

verb

to draw out or be drawn out; stretch

to last for a certain timehis schooling extended for three years

(intr) to reach a certain point in time or distancethe land extends five miles

(intr) to exist or occurthe 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 ofthe law was extended

(tr) to put forth, present, or offerto 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

to carry forward
to calculate the amount of (a total, balance, etc)

(tr) law (formerly in England) to value or assess (land)

Derived Formsextendible or extendable, adjectiveextendibility or extendability, noun

Word Origin for extend

C14: from Latin extendere to stretch out, from tendere to stretch

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

Word Origin and History for extend

early 14c., "to value, assess;" late 14c. "to stretch out, lengthen," from Anglo-French estendre (late 13c.), Old French estendre "stretch out, extend, increase," from Latin extendere "stretch out," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + tendere "to stretch" (see tenet). Related: Extended; extending.

extend in Medicine

extend

[ĭk-stĕnd′]

v.

To straighten a limb; unbend.