Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make something longer or larger in space or time: To increase the length, duration, or physical reach of something.
   • To straighten or stretch out a body part or object: To cause a limb, piece of material, or mechanical part to become straight or reach out.
   • To offer or provide something: To make something available or present it, such as help, greetings, or credit.
   • To cause to cover a wider area or apply to more people/things: To broaden the scope, range, or influence of something.
   • To use something to its full capacity: To exert oneself or a resource completely.

Usage and Examples

• To make longer in space or time:

  • The company decided to extend the deadline by one week.
  • We plan to extend the garden path to the gate.

• To straighten or stretch out:

  • Please extend your arm for the blood pressure check.
  • The engineer extended the telescope's antenna.

• To offer or provide:

  • The bank agreed to extend a line of credit to the new business.
  • I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizers.

• To broaden scope or influence:

  • The new policy will extend these benefits to part-time workers.
  • The empire sought to extend its territory.

• To use to full capacity:

  • She really extended herself to finish the project on time.

Advanced Usage and Idioms

• "Extend an olive branch": To make a gesture of peace or reconciliation.

  • After their argument, he decided to extend an olive branch by inviting her to lunch.

• "Extend a warm welcome": To greet someone in a very friendly and hospitable manner.

  • We extend a warm welcome to all our new students.

• "Extend the hand of friendship": To offer to become friends or to be friendly.

  • The community extended the hand of friendship to the new arrivals.

Variants and Related Words

• Extension (n): The act of extending or the state of being extended; an added part.
  • They built an extension on the back of the house.
• Extensive (adj): Covering a large area; having a wide range.
  • The fire caused extensive damage.
• Extensible (adj): Capable of being extended.
  • The table has an extensible leaf.

Synonyms

• Lengthen: To make longer.
• Prolong: To extend the duration of.
• Stretch: To draw out to full length.
• Expand: To increase in size, volume, or scope.
• Offer: To present for acceptance.

Phrasal Verbs

• Extend to: To include or apply to.
  • The warranty extends to all parts of the device.
• Extend over: To cover a period of time or an area.
  • His research extends over three decades.

Different Meanings and Contexts

• Physical Dimension: Refers to spatial length or reach.
  • The road extends for miles.
• Time: Refers to duration.
  • Can we extend the meeting for another hour?
• Abstract Concepts: Refers to scope, influence, or availability.
  • The law does not extend to private property.
  • Please extend my apologies to your team.

Verb

1. increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance
   • stretch the soup by adding some more cream
   • extend the casserole with a little rice
2. continue or extend
   • The civil war carried into the neighboring province
   • The disease extended into the remote mountain provinces
3. prolong the time allowed for payment of
   • extend the loan
4. use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity
   • He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
   • Don't strain your mind too much
5. open or straighten out; unbend
   • Can we extend the legs of this dining table?
6. cause to move at full gallop
   • Did you gallop the horse just now?
7. extend or stretch out to a greater or the full length
   • Unfold the newspaper
   • stretch out that piece of cloth
   • extend the TV antenna
8. lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
   • We prolonged our stay
   • She extended her visit by another day
   • The meeting was drawn out until midnight
9. expand the influence of
   • The King extended his rule to the Eastern part of the continent
10. extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body
    • Stretch your legs!
    • Extend your right arm above your head
11. offer verbally
    • extend my greetings
    • He offered his sympathy
12. reach outward in space
    • The awning extends several feet over the sidewalk
13. thrust or extend out
    • He held out his hand
    • point a finger
    • extend a hand
    • the bee exserted its sting
14. make available; provide
    • extend a loan
    • The bank offers a good deal on new mortgages
15. span an interval of distance, space or time
    • The war extended over five years
    • The period covered the turn of the century
    • My land extends over the hills on the horizon
    • This farm covers some 200 acres
    • The Archipelago continues for another 500 miles
16. stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
    • Service runs all the way to Cranbury
    • His knowledge doesn't go very far
    • My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
    • The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
17. extend in scope or range or area
    • The law was extended to all citizens
    • widen the range of applications
    • broaden your horizon
    • Extend your backyard