Definition of “extend” - English Dictionary

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“extend” in English

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extendverb

uk ​ /ɪkˈstend/ us ​ /ɪkˈstend/

extend verb (INCREASE)

B2 [ T ] to add to something in order to make it bigger or longer:

We have plans to extend our house (= to make it bigger).
The government has produced a series of leaflets designed to extend (= increase) public awareness of the dangers of AIDS.
We're planning to extend our publishing of children's books (= increase it).

B2 [ T ] to make something last longer:

The bar has recently extended its opening hours (= made them longer).
I need to extend my visa (= make it last longer).

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extend verb (STRETCH)

› [ T ] to stretch something out:

We've extended a clothesline (= made it reach) between two trees in the garden.
He extended his hand as a greeting (= held out his hand for someone to shake it).

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extend verb (REACH)

B2 [ I usually + adv/prep ] to reach, stretch, or continue:

The Sahara Desert extends for miles.
The path extends beyond the end of the road.
Rain is expected to extend to (= arrive in) all parts of the country by this evening.
The effects of this legislation will extend (= reach) further than the government intends.

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(Definition of “extend” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“extend” in American English

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extendverb

us ​ /ɪkˈstend/

extend verb (REACH)

› [ I/T ] to reach, continue, or stretch:

[ I ] Farmland extends for miles in every direction.
[ I ] The meeting extended into the late hours of the night.
[ T ] He extended his hand to greet me.

extend verb (INCREASE)

› [ T ] to add to something in order to make it longer; increase:

The store has recently extended its hours.
I might have extended this essay to include more information.

› [ T ] To extend something is also to increase its range so that it includes more:

The proposed law would extend health insurance to all children.

extend verb (OFFER)

› [ T ] to offer or give:

I would like to extend my thanks to everybody for making this evening a success.
We’d like to extend our condolences to the family.

(Definition of “extend” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“extend” in Business English

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extendverb

uk ​ /ɪkˈstend/ us ​

› [ I or T ] to increase the period of time during which something is effective, or to last for a particular period of time:

At present they are only open four days a week but they plan to extend their hours.
extend an agreement/a contract/a deadline
extend sth from sth to sth Under the proposal the presidential term would be extended from five to six years.
extend into sth It looks as if the final talks will extend into June.
extend for sth Don't accept any loan that extends for more years than you plan to keep the car.

› [ T ] to give or offer something to someone:

extend benefits/coverage The proposal would extend medical insurance coverage to 95% of the population, including every child.
extend credit By buying and packaging mortgages, Wall Street enabled the lenders to extend credit even as the dangers grew in the housing market.

› [ T ] to increase the size or range of something:

The company's premises have been extended.
The company's own-label range has been extended to include a dining line.
The two educators are responsible for extending college business programs beyond the classroom.

(Definition of “extend” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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