n.

1. a large and unbroken expanse or distance
   
   • a stretch of highway
   • a stretch of clear water
2. the act of physically reaching or thrusting out;
   reach, reaching
3. a straightaway section of a racetrack
4. exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent;
   stretching
5. extension to or beyond the ordinary limit
   
   • running at full stretch
   • by no stretch of the imagination
   • beyond any stretch of his understanding
6. an unbroken period of time during which you do something;
   stint
   
   • there were stretches of boredom
   • he did a stretch in the federal penitentiary
7. the capacity for being stretched;
   stretchiness, stretchability

v.

1. occupy a large, elongated area;
   stretch along
   
   • The park stretched beneath the train line
2. extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body;
   extend
   
   • Stretch your legs!
   • Extend your right arm above your head
3. extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length;
   unfold, stretch out, extend
   
   • Unfold the newspaper
   • stretch out that piece of cloth
   • extend the TV antenna
4. become longer by being stretched and pulled
   
   • The fabric stretches
5. make long or longer by pulling and stretching;
   elongate
   
   • stretch the fabric
6. lie down comfortably;
   stretch out
   
   • To enjoy the picnic, we stretched out on the grass
7. pull in opposite directions
   
   • During the Inquisition, the torturers would stretch their victims on a rack
8. extend the scope or meaning of; often unduly
   
   • Stretch the limits
   • stretch my patience
   • stretch the imagination
9. corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones;
   adulterate, dilute, debase
   
   • adulterate liquor
10. increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance;
    extend
    
    • stretch the soup by adding some more cream
    • extend the casserole with a little rice
11. extend one's body or limbs;
    stretch out
    
    • Let's stretch for a minute--we've been sitting here for over 3 hours

adj.

1. having an elongated seating area;
   stretch(a)
   
   • a stretch limousine
2. easily stretched
   
   • stretch hosiery