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extend

verb ex·tend \ik-ˈstend\

: to cause (something, such as your arm or leg) to straighten out or to stretch out

: to become longer or to be able to become longer

: to continue in a specified direction or over a specified distance, space, or time

Full Definition of EXTEND

transitive verb

: to spread or stretch forth : unbend <extended both her arms>

a : to stretch out to fullest length

b : to cause (as a horse) to move at full stride

c : to exert (oneself) to full capacity <could work long and hard without seeming to extend himself>

d (1) : to increase the bulk of (as by adding a cheaper substance or a modifier) (2) : adulterate

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin extendere (from Latin) or Anglo-French estendre, from Old French]

a British : to take possession of (as lands) by a writ of extent

b obsolete : to take by force

a : to make the offer of : proffer <extending aid to the needy> <extending their greetings>

b : to make available <extending credit to customers>

a : to cause to reach (as in distance or scope) <national authority was extended over new territories>

b : to cause to be longer : prolong <extend the side of a triangle> <extended their visit another day>; also : to prolong the time of payment of

c : advance, further <extending her potential through job training>

a : to cause to be of greater area or volume : enlarge <extended the patio to the back of the house>

b : to increase the scope, meaning, or application of : broaden <beauty, I suppose, opens the heart, extends the consciousness — Algernon Blackwood>

c archaic : exaggerate

intransitive verb

: to stretch out in distance, space, or time : reach <their jurisdiction extended over the whole area>

: to reach in scope or application <his concern extends beyond mere business to real service to his customers>

— ex·tend·abil·i·ty \-ˌsten-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— ex·tend·able also ex·tend·ible \-ˈsten-də-bəl\ adjective

See extend defined for English-language learners

See extend defined for kids

Origin of EXTEND

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French estendre, from Latin extendere, from ex- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EXTEND

Synonyms: drag (out), draw out, elongate, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, protract, stretch

Antonyms: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, cut, cut back, shorten

Synonym Discussion of EXTEND

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length. extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range <extend a vacation> <extend welfare services> <lengthen a skirt> <lengthen the workweek>. prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits <prolonged illness>. protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness <protracted litigation>.

Rhymes with EXTEND

addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, contend, dead end, dead-end, defend, depend, descend, distend, downtrend, emend, expend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, intend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, transcend, unbend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end

EXTENDING Defined for Kids

extend

verb ex·tend \ik-ˈstend\

ex·tend·edex·tend·ing

Definition of EXTEND for Kids

: to hold out <extend a hand>

: to stretch out or across something <There was no way of going around it, for it seemed to extend … as far as they could see … — L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz>

: to make longer <extend a visit>

: ¹stretch 2 <extend a sail>

: enlarge <extend the meaning of a word>

Word Root of EXTEND

The Latin word tendere, meaning to “stretch” or “to spread,” and its form tentus give us the roots tend, tent, and tens. Words from the Latin tendere have something to do with stretching or spreading. A tent is a temporary shelter made from stretched out fabric. To distend is to stretch outward and swell in all directions. To extend is to stretch out. A tendon is a cord that connects a muscle to another muscle or to a bone and that stretches allowing a joint to bend. Something tense is stretched tight.

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