the stretch
noun
: the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line
the horses are in the (final) stretch
—often used figurativelyShe's in the final stretch. The baby's due next month.
They will wind up the season with a winning record having won some crucial games down the stretch.
Examples of the stretch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Louisville cut it to eight points down the stretch.
—
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Raise your right arm overhead and side bend to the left to deepen the stretch.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
The Heat won the third quarter 26-21 to enter the fourth quarter with a 91-90 lead before wilting down the stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Brown, after an authoritative start to the fourth quarter, went quiet down the stretch, scoring just two points in the final five minutes and missing his last three shots.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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.
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Raise your right arm overhead and side bend to the left to deepen the stretch.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
The Heat won the third quarter 26-21 to enter the fourth quarter with a 91-90 lead before wilting down the stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Brown, after an authoritative start to the fourth quarter, went quiet down the stretch, scoring just two points in the final five minutes and missing his last three shots.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
Cite this Entry
“The stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20stretch. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share