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 extending

continuing, approaching, spanning, ranging, continual, continuous, endless, perpetual

Examples from the Web for extending

Contemporary Examples of extending

The extending out of one syllable is a great songwriting device.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.
Michael Tomasky
December 24, 2014
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
“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
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
“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

Historical Examples of extending

"I cannot tell you how sorry I am that you are going away," she said, softly, extending her hand.
Southern Lights and Shadows
Various
Another road, extending from Callao to San Mateo, was opened in 1876.
The Railroad Question
William Larrabee
He was extending a hand that Dean Rawson had to reach for blindly.
Two Thousand Miles Below
Charles Willard Diffin
He was aware of them, too, ahead of him, extending in the gloom indefinitely.
Cleo The Magnificent
Louis Zangwill
In short, she was sinking, and as she sank lower and lower she talked of extending her business.
L'Assommoir
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for extending

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 extending

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.

extending in Medicine

extend

[ĭk-stĕnd′]

v.

To straighten a limb; unbend.