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extend

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verb American English pronunciation: extend /ɪkˈstend/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyextend
he/she/itextends
present participleextending
past tenseextended
past participleextended

Related dictionary definitions

 
  1. 1
    [intransitive] to continue for a particular distance or in a particular direction
    extend from/into/over/beyond/for etc.:

    The beach extends beyond the horizon.

    An industrial zone extends along the river.

    an area extending from the Baltic coast to the Alps

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
    1. a.
      formal to continue for a particular period of time
      extend over/beyond etc.:

      This license does not extend beyond the end of May.

      a festival that extends over a period of weeks

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to increase the size of a building or area, especially by adding extra parts onto it

    We’re going to extend the ground floor.

    a plan to extend the cemetery

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
    1. a.
      [transitive] to make something include more things, areas, or subjects

      The company has recently extended its range of products.

      The course has been extended to include the history of art.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
    2. b.
      [transitive] to increase the power of something
      extend influence/control:

      an attempt to extend their influence in world affairs

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
    3. c.
      [transitive] to increase the time that something lasts

      I asked if I could extend my vacation.

      Your bank might agree to extend the period of the loan.

      extend a deadline (=give someone more time in which to do something):

      They have agreed to extend the deadline for the completion of the construction work.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
  3. 3
    [transitive] formal to offer something such as a welcome, thanks, or sympathy to someone

    We extend our apologies for the inconvenience caused.

    extend something to someone:

    Let’s all extend a warm welcome to our visitors.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
  4. 4
    [transitive] to increase the length of something

    You can extend the table by pulling out the middle section.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
    1. a.
      [transitive] to stretch out your arms or legs so that they are straight

      He stood there, his arms extended toward the horrified onlookers.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
    2. b.
      [intransitive] to become longer

      Does this ladder extend?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
  5. 5
    [transitive] to agree to lend someone money or to give them credit
    extend something to someone:

    banks that extend loans to small businesses

    Suppliers do not always extend credit to new customers.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend
  6. 6
    [intransitive] to affect or include someone or something
    extend to:

    This law extends to children under the age of 14 only.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  extendThesaurus entry for this meaning of extend

This is the American English definition of extend. View British English definition of extend.

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