extend

[ ik-stend ]

/ ɪkˈstɛnd /

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See synonyms for: extend / extended / extending / extends 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR extend

5 continue.

6 enlarge; widen, dilate.

8 bestow, impart.

See synonyms for extend on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR extend

1 shorten, contract.

See antonyms for extend on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of extend

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extenden, from Latin extendere “to stretch out.” See ex-¹, tend¹

synonym study for extend

5. See lengthen.

OTHER WORDS FROM extend

ex·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, noun

pre·ex·tend, verbsu·per·ex·tend, verbun·ex·tend·a·ble, adjectiveun·ex·tend·i·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use extend in a sentence

However, she cautions, with extended use the device may wear down.
This artificial skin feels ‘ghosts’ — things you wish were there|Stephen Ornes|November 20, 2020|Science News For Students
Amazon has a strong corporate culture that extends across their offices and their warehouses, so we’ll likely see them trying to keep their office teams working together as much as possible.
Amazon update: Second headquarters development and the area’s housing market|Michele Lerner|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Early in the pandemic, Starbucks expanded emergency pay for store staff impacted by the coronavirus and extended it through May 31 for those diagnosed or directly exposed to Covid-19.
Starbucks gives baristas a 10% raise|Claire Zillman, reporter|November 19, 2020|Fortune
According to Bunker, she and other LGBTQ state representatives focused on extending this language to other areas of state law.
Trans, non-binary candidates make history in state legislative races|Parker Purifoy|November 18, 2020|Washington Blade

Your left leg should be extended, with your foot flat on the floor.
Strength Training for Lower-Back Pain|Lauren Bedosky|November 18, 2020|Outside Online
The extending out of one syllable is a great songwriting device.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did you envision your Pryor biography as extending your previous investigation—aesthetically and historically?
How Richard Pryor Beat Bill Cosby and Transformed America|David Yaffe, Scott Saul|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I just got my nails done,” gushes Michael C. Hall, extending his manicured, silver digits towards me.
Michael C. Hall on Going Drag for ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and Exorcising ‘Dexter’|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Extending the life of a fighter jet past its expected lifespan comes at a steep price.
Navy Grounds Top Guns|Dave Majumdar|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“If anything, John Kerry succeeded in extending the period of hope for a little bit longer,” he said.
Everyone Says John Kerry Should Stay Out of the Middle East|Josh Rogin|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not a word now,” cried Longcluse harshly, extending his hand quickly towards him; “I may do that which can't be undone.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
New rows of stately houses have recently been built, and the "court end" of the city is extending rapidly toward the West.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Through it runs a vein about one vara wide, extending east and west for some distance.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
They have no walls, for the roofs serve as everything, extending from above even to the ground.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
In both cases the riparian owner, so-called, may erect a wharf extending from his land subject to public control.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for extend

extend

/ (ɪkˈstɛnd) /

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 forms of extend

extendible 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

extend

OTHER WORDS FOR extend

OPPOSITES FOR extend

Origin of extend

synonym study for extend

OTHER WORDS FROM extend

Words related to extend

How to use extend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for extend

Derived forms of extend

Word Origin for extend