extend

verb

USek-STEND/ɛkˈstɛnd/

10 meanings of extend

1
verbtransitive
To make something bigger, longer, or able to reach farther.
Like stretching a rubber band so it reaches farther.
The city plans to extend the park next year.
They extended the fence to cover the whole yard.
Similarexpand, enlarge, widen, broaden, lengthen
Oppositereduce, shrink, narrow, shorten
Note
2
verbtransitive
To make something last for more time.
Like adding more minutes to a timer so it runs longer.
The teacher extended the deadline by two days.
We can extend the lease if you want to stay longer.
Similarprolong, lengthen, renew, protract
Oppositeshorten, curtail
3
verbtransitive
To give or offer something, such as help or a welcome, to someone.
Like holding out your hand to offer something to a friend.
The hosts extended a warm welcome to every guest.
They always extend help to new neighbors.
Similaroffer, grant, give, issue, proffer
Oppositewithdraw, withhold, deny, refuse
Note
4
verbintransitive
To grow bigger or reach farther than before.
Like a puddle that spreads wider as more rain falls.
These cracks extend further with each cold snap.
The drought extended into the spring months.
Similarspread, expand, advance, grow, stretch
Oppositeshrink, contract, recede, retreat
5
verbintransitive
To cover or reach over a certain area or distance.
Like a road that stretches on and on into the distance.
The mountains extend from north to south across the country.
The garden extends behind the house to the old wall.
Similarstretch, reach, run, spread, range
Note
6
verbtransitive
To straighten an arm, leg, or other body part.
Like opening a folding ruler until it lies flat.
Slowly extend your arm until it is straight.
She extended her leg to test the sore knee.
Similarstraighten, stretch
Oppositeflex, bend
Note
7
verbtransitive
In computer programming, to build a new class based on another, keeping its features.
Like a recipe that starts from an older one and just adds a few new steps.
In this language, a class can extend another to reuse its code.
The new class extends the basic one and adds a few methods.
Similarinherit
Note
8
verbtransitive
To make something go further by adding cheaper or weaker things to it.
Like adding water to juice so there is more to drink, but it tastes weaker.
Some sellers extend their honey with cheap syrup.
They extended the paint with water to cover more wall.
Similaradulterate, dilute, stretch
Note
9
verbUSintransitive
In the military, to sign up to stay in service for more time.
Like signing up for another season on a team instead of leaving.
He decided to extend for another two years in the Army.
Many soldiers extend when they enjoy their assignment.
Similarreenlist
Note
10
verbUKtransitive
In old law, to take and value someone's land to pay off a debt they owe.
Like a bank taking a house when a loan is not paid back.
The court ordered the sheriff to extend the debtor's lands.
The officers extended his estate to cover the unpaid sum.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin extendo, meaning "I stretch out," which came into English through Anglo-Norman French.