0 past simple and past participle of stretch
1 to cause something to reach, often as far as possible, in a particular direction:
3 to go as far as or past the usual limit of something:
Many families' budgets are already stretched to breaking point.
We can't work any harder, Paul. We're already fully stretched.
This movie really stretches the patience of the audience to the limit.
Normally, people under 18 aren't allowed, but I guess we can stretch the rules for you as it's your birthday tomorrow.
4 to (cause a material to) become longer or wider than usual as a result of pulling at the edges:
6 If jobs or tasks stretch you, they make you learn new things that use your skill and experience more than before:
I stretched out and listened to the sound of the rushing stream.
I get up and walk around every half hour just to stretch my legs.
The road stretched into the distance as far as the eye could see.
A broad sweep of flat countryside stretched to the horizon in all directions.