extended; extending; extends
1
: to spread or stretch forth : unbend
extended both her arms
2
a
: to stretch out to fullest length
b
: to cause (an animal, such as a horse) to move at full stride
c
: to exert (oneself) to full capacity
could work long and hard without seeming to extend himself
d(1)
: to increase the bulk of (as by adding a cheaper substance or a modifier)
(2)
3
[Middle English, from Medieval Latin extendere (from Latin) or Anglo-French estendre, from Old French]
a
British
: to take possession of (something, such as land) by a writ of extent
b
obsolete
: to take by force
4
a
: to make the offer of : proffer
extending aid to the needy
extending their greetings
b
: to make available
extending credit to customers
5
a
: to cause to reach (as in distance or scope)
national authority was extended over new territories
b
: to cause to be longer : prolong
extend the side of a triangle
extended their visit another day
also
: to prolong the time of payment of
6
a
: to cause to be of greater area or volume : enlarge
extended the patio to the back of the house
b
: to increase the scope, meaning, or application of : broaden
beauty, I suppose, opens the heart, extends the consciousness—
Algernon Blackwood
Algernon Blackwood
c
archaic
: exaggerate
1
: to stretch out in distance, space, or time : reach
their jurisdiction extended over the whole area
2
: to reach in scope or application
his concern extends beyond mere business to real service to his customers
Examples of extend in a Sentence
He extended a hand in greeting.
sitting with both legs fully extended
The table measures eight feet long when it is fully extended.
The table extends to eight feet in length.
The woods extend for miles to the west.
Their knowledge of the family's history extends back to colonial times.
Their influence extends well beyond their immediate circle of friends.
His popularity extends from coast to coast.
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2013, Queen Elizabeth II posthumously pardoned Alan Turing, the World War II codebreaker convicted under laws criminalizing homosexuality, and in 2017 the UK government extended the pardon to thousands of other gay and bisexual men convicted under similar statutes.
—James Frater, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Wild’s power play goes scoreless The Wild gave up a power-play goal in the third period and went 0 for 4 on the power play with three shots on goal, including two scoreless ones in the first period with a chance to extend their lead.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
The government shutdown threatens that economic output, and according to Schroeder, almost all service members are at serious threat of missing a paycheck if the shutdown extends into mid-November, worsening the situation.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2025
The union has argued that an election would extend an already prolonged process, and raises opportunities for complications and appeals.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extend
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
James Frater, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Wild’s power play goes scoreless The Wild gave up a power-play goal in the third period and went 0 for 4 on the power play with three shots on goal, including two scoreless ones in the first period with a chance to extend their lead.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
The government shutdown threatens that economic output, and according to Schroeder, almost all service members are at serious threat of missing a paycheck if the shutdown extends into mid-November, worsening the situation.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2025
The union has argued that an election would extend an already prolonged process, and raises opportunities for complications and appeals.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extend
Cite this Entry
“Extend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extend. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extend
verb
ex·tend
ik-ˈstend 
1
: to straighten out or stretch forth
extended both arms
2
a
: to offer to someone
extend an apology
b
: to make available
extend credit
3
a
: to stretch out : make longer
extend a visit
an extended metaphor
b
: to make larger
extend the meaning of a word
4
: to stretch out or reach across a distance, space, or time
the woods extend for miles to the west
the bridge extends across the river
Medical Definition
extend
transitive verb
ex·tend
ik-ˈstend
1
: to straighten out (as an arm or leg)
2
: to increase the quantity or bulk of (as by adding a cheaper substance or a modifier)
extending ground meat with cereal
also
: adulterate
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