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
However, their offense sputtered down the stretch, leaving just enough time for yet another Tyrese Haliburton game-winner.
—
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
The second period was also Florida’s best period in the series opener but the fizzled down the stretch, giving up the game-tying goal in the third and losing with 31 seconds left in overtime on a Draisaitl power-play goal.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
At the Preakness, Journalism barreled down the stretch to overcome Gosger and win by half a length at Pimlico Race Course.
—Alex Sundby
june 6, CBS News, 6 June 2025
But Indiana clawed back behind five points by Andrew Nembhard down the stretch to set up Haliburton’s shot that lifted his team to a 111-110 win.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
The second period was also Florida’s best period in the series opener but the fizzled down the stretch, giving up the game-tying goal in the third and losing with 31 seconds left in overtime on a Draisaitl power-play goal.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
At the Preakness, Journalism barreled down the stretch to overcome Gosger and win by half a length at Pimlico Race Course.
—Alex Sundby
june 6, CBS News, 6 June 2025
But Indiana clawed back behind five points by Andrew Nembhard down the stretch to set up Haliburton’s shot that lifted his team to a 111-110 win.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
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 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share