/ ɪkˈstend; NAmE / verb
MAKE LONGER / LARGER / WIDER
1.
[ vn ] to make sth longer or larger :
to extend a fence / road / house
There are plans to extend the no-smoking area.
2.
[ vn ] to make sth last longer :
to extend a deadline / visa
The show has been extended for another six weeks.
Careful maintenance can extend the life of your car.
3.
[ vn ] to make a business, an idea, an influence, etc. cover more areas or operate in more places :
The company plans to extend its operations into Europe.
The school is extending the range of subjects taught.
INCLUDE
4.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to relate to or include sb/sth :
The offer does not extend to employees' partners.
His willingness to help did not extend beyond making a few phone calls.
COVER AREA / TIME / DISTANCE
5.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to cover a particular area, distance or length of time :
Our land extends as far as the river.
His writing career extended over a period of 40 years.
6.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to make sth reach sth or stretch :
to extend a rope between two posts
PART OF BODY
7.
[ vn ] to stretch part of your body, especially an arm or a leg, away from yourself :
He extended his hand to (= offered to shake hands with) the new employee.
( figurative )
to extend the hand of friendship to (= try to have good relations with) another country
OFFER / GIVE
8.
[ vn ] extend sth to sb ( formal ) to offer or give sth to sb :
I'm sure you will join me in extending a very warm welcome to our visitors.
to extend hospitality to overseas students
to extend an invitation
The bank refused to extend credit to them (= to lend them money) .
[also vnn ]
USE EFFORT / ABILITY
9.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] to make sb/sth use all their effort, abilities, supplies, etc. :
Jim didn't really have to extend himself in the exam.
Hospitals were already fully extended because of the epidemic.
—see also extension , extensive
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin extendere stretch out, from ex- out + tendere stretch.