stretch
verb (used with object)
to draw out or extend (oneself, a body, limbs, wings, etc.) to the full length or extent (often followed byout ).
had been stretching
-
past perfect progressiveof stretch.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
In fact, it had been stretching since she was born.
From Slate ● Jan. 27, 2024
Last Friday, the president took no questions and abruptly left the short briefing, which had been stretching over two hours in evening prime time, and cancelled his weekend press briefings altogether.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 30, 2020
He said he had been stretching his legs, and accidentally kicked the window.
From Slate ● Dec. 31, 2019
Soul music had been stretching out since the late 60s, led by Isaac Hayes’ orchestral excursions and the psychedelic strut of Sly Stone and George Clinton.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 8, 2017
Deronda felt the look as if she had been stretching her arms toward him from a forsaken shore.
From Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
