extend

[ ik-stend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to stretch out; draw out to the full length:

   He extended the measuring tape as far as it would go.

   Antonyms: contract, shorten

2. 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.
3. to stretch forth or hold out, as the arm or hand:

   to extend one's hand in greeting.

4. to place at full length, especially horizontally, as the body or limbs.
5. to increase the length or duration of; lengthen; prolong:

   to extend a visit.

   Synonyms: continue

6. to stretch out in various or all directions; expand; spread out in area:

   A huge tent was extended over the field.

   Synonyms: dilate, widen, enlarge

7. to enlarge the scope of, or make more comprehensive, as operations, influence, or meaning:

   The European powers extended their authority in Asia.

8. to provide as an offer or grant; offer; grant; give:

   to extend aid to needy scholars.

   Synonyms: impart, bestow

9. Finance. to postpone (the payment of a debt) beyond the time originally agreed upon.
10. to increase the bulk or volume of, especially by adding an inexpensive or plentiful substance.
11. Bookkeeping. to transfer (figures) from one column to another.
12. Law.
    1. British. to assess or value.
    2. to make a seizure or levy upon, as land, by a writ of extent.
13. Manège. to bring (a horse) into an extended attitude.
14. to exert (oneself ) to an unusual degree.
15. Archaic. to exaggerate.
16. Obsolete. to take by seizure.

verb (used without object)

1. to be or become extended; stretch out in length, duration, or in various or all directions.
2. to reach, as to a particular point.
3. to increase in length, area, scope, etc.
4. Manège. (of a horse) to come into an extended attitude.

extend

/ ɪkˈstɛnd /

verb

1. to draw out or be drawn out; stretch
2. to last for a certain time

   his schooling extended for three years

3. intr to reach a certain point in time or distance

   the land extends five miles

4. intr to exist or occur

   the trees extended throughout the area

5. tr to increase (a building, etc) in size or area; add to or enlarge
6. tr to broaden the meaning or scope of

   the law was extended

7. tr to put forth, present, or offer

   to extend greetings

8. to stretch forth (an arm, etc)
9. tr to lay out (a body) at full length
10. tr to strain or exert (a person or animal) to the maximum
11. tr to prolong (the time originally set) for payment of (a debt or loan), completion of (a task), etc
12. tr accounting
    1. to carry forward
    2. to calculate the amount of (a total, balance, etc)
13. tr law (formerly in England) to value or assess (land)

Derived Forms

• exˌtendiˈbility, noun
• exˈtendible, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·tendi·ble ex·tenda·ble adjective
• ex·tendi·bili·ty ex·tenda·bili·ty noun
• nonex·tendi·ble adjective
• nonex·tendi·ble·ness noun
• preex·tend verb
• super·ex·tend verb
• unex·tenda·ble adjective
• unex·tendi·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extend¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of extend¹

C14: from Latin extendere to stretch out, from tendere to stretch

Synonym Study

See lengthen.

Related Words

• boost
• broaden
• continue
• develop
• enhance
• enlarge
• expand
• go on
• increase
• last
• lengthen
• open
• prolong
• spread
• stretch
• take
• widen