ex ‧ tend S3 W2 /ɪkˈstend/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: extendere , from tendere 'to stretch' ]
1 . TIME [intransitive + adverb/preposition,transitive] to continue for a longer period of time, or to make something last longer:
Management have agreed to extend the deadline.
extend for/into/over etc
Some of our courses extend over two years.
extend something for/by/until something
The government has extended the ban on the import of beef until June.
2 . AREA/DISTANCE [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to continue for a particular distance or over a particular area
across/over/through etc
The River Nile extends as far south as Lake Victoria.
extend 100 km/30 yards etc (from something)
The shelf extends 20 cms from the bookcase.
3 . SIZE [transitive] to make a room, building, road etc bigger or longer:
We plan to extend the kitchen by six feet.
4 . INCLUDE/AFFECT
a) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to affect or include people, things, or places
extend to/beyond etc
My duties at the school extend beyond just teaching.
The vote was extended to all women aged 21 and over in 1928.
b) [transitive] to make something affect more people, situations, areas etc than before:
British Coal is planning to extend its operations in Wales.
extend something to somebody/something
We can extend our insurance cover to travel abroad.
5 . OFFER HELP/THANKS [transitive] formal to officially offer someone help, sympathy, thanks etc
extend something to somebody
We’d like to extend a warm welcome to our French visitors.
I’d like to extend my thanks to all the catering staff.
The Coroner extended his sympathy to the victim’s family.
The Headteacher has extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit the school.
The banks have decided to extend credit to the company (=allow them to borrow more money) .
6 . ARMS/LEGS [transitive] to stretch out a hand or leg:
George extended his hand (=offered to shake hands) .
7 . CONTINUE WINNING [transitive] to increase the number of points, games etc by which one person or team is ahead of other competitors:
Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points.
8 . FURNITURE [intransitive and transitive] if a table or ladder extends, it can be made longer ⇨ fold