Something that stretches over an area or distance covers or exists in the whole of that area or distance.

A stretch of road, water, or land is a length or area of it.

When you stretch, you put your arms or legs out straight and tighten your muscles.

A stretch of time is a period of time.

If an event or activity stretches or is stretched into a further period of time, it continues into that period, which is later than expected.

If something stretches from one time to another, it begins at the first time and ends at the second, which is longer than expected.

If a group of things stretch from one type of thing to another, the group includes a wide range of things.

When something soft or elastic stretches or is stretched, it becomes longer or bigger as well as thinner, usually because it is pulled.

Stretch fabric is soft and elastic and stretches easily.

If you stretch an amount of something or if it stretches, you make it last longer than it usually would by being careful and not wasting any of it.

If your resources can stretch to something, you can just afford to do it.

If something stretches your money or resources, it uses them up so you have hardly enough for your needs.

If you say that a job or task stretches you, you mean that you like it because it makes you work hard and use all your energy and skills so that you do not become bored or achieve less than you should.

If you are at full stretch, your arm is straight and extended as far as possible, usually because you are trying to reach something that is almost too far away.

If you are at full stretch, you are using the maximum amount of effort or energy.

If you say that something is not true or possible by any stretch of the imagination, you are emphasizing that it is completely untrue or absolutely impossible.

If you stretch your legs, you go for a short walk, usually after you have been sitting down for a long time.

If you stretch a point, you describe something in a way which is not accurate, although it may be partly true.