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
- extendability noun
- extendable adjective
- extendibility noun
- extendible adjective
- nonextendible adjective
- nonextendibleness noun
- preextend verb
- superextend verb
- unextendable adjective
- unextendible adjective
Etymology
Origin of extend
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extenden, from Latin extendere “to stretch out.” See ex- 1, tend 1
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.
Visitors to Alcatraz Island this spring and summer can extend their journey by adding a tour to another island in San Francisco Bay.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Chisora welcomed the challenge with typical stoicism, leading Wilder to extend a personal invitation for a post-retirement trip to Alabama.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
The researchers aimed to extend the time under positive pressure and reduce the period when negative pressure dominates.
From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026
The economy has alternated between adding jobs and losing jobs for 10 months in a row, and the on-and-off streak is likely to extend into March.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
Due to her supreme skill in the arena of filmmaking, it is our honor to extend an invitation to Miss Mehra.
From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon
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.
