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
North King Drive is in a state of transition, and that is why Angela Mallett, owner of HoneyBee Sage Wellness and Apothecary, chose to open her store along the stretch in 2018.
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Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Elliott — by virtue of an early and quick pit stop, as well as good blocking down the stretch — won the second Duel race.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Freshmen Wagler and David Mirković also combined to miss five free throws down the stretch in regulation and overtime.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The first half of the year has been devoted to suppressing the opponent, through playing veterans over youth and using low-percentage offensive strategies like the stretch pass.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Elliott — by virtue of an early and quick pit stop, as well as good blocking down the stretch — won the second Duel race.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Freshmen Wagler and David Mirković also combined to miss five free throws down the stretch in regulation and overtime.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The first half of the year has been devoted to suppressing the opponent, through playing veterans over youth and using low-percentage offensive strategies like the stretch pass.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
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 15 Feb. 2026.
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