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.

Example Sentences

When the Nats extended him for $245 million for seven years, I understood and agreed.

From Washington Post

As a storyteller, Yeun says he is drawn to those who are “unseen,” and extends the notion of life in the gap to include the character.

From Washington Post

Another daughter, Christina Farmer, recalled getting a message one morning that convinced her, for a short while, that her father was extending his trip in the Indiana countryside.

From Washington Post

It’s possible that light snow will extend into areas inside the Beltway for a time this evening.

From Washington Post

They extended the lead like three times on us when we cut the lead to six, seven, eight points.

From Washington Post

At some point, show creator Mark Burnett made the diabolical decision to extend the show to 120 minutes.

From The Daily Beast

We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of those on board QZ8501.

From The Daily Beast

In order to extend their legal residence in the United States, they had to obtain other visas.

From The Daily Beast

But would they be willing to extend their welcome to series that are streamed outside of Netflix?

From The Daily Beast

Valerie isn't going anywhere, and her work will extend through those she has cultivated and inspired.

From The Daily Beast

This impulse to extend rule appears more plainly in many of the little ceremonial observances of the child.

From Project Gutenberg

I presume this path does not extend many miles without meeting impediments.

From Project Gutenberg

Not only do children thus of themselves extend the scope of our commands, they show a disposition to make rules for themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

I doubt if the modern community can afford to continue it; it certainly cannot afford to extend it very widely.

From Project Gutenberg

This is especially the case in what are known as the Reed and Haydon properties which extend over about 200 acres.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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